California Law Sets New Rules for Robotaxis

California has enacted new rules for autonomous vehicle companies after reports of robotaxis obstructing traffic and interfering with emergency responders. Senate Bill 1246, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom this week, is intended to improve safety and response times when autonomous vehicles become disabled or disrupt emergency work.

Companies including Tesla, Waymo, and Zoox must provide first responders with local support when their robotaxis cause problems. They could face penalties if a vehicle blocks police or firefighters for more than 30 minutes. The law also requires companies to use remote drivers based in the United States who hold a U.S. driver’s license.

During system-wide failures, autonomous vehicle developers must notify cities and other local jurisdictions about vehicle locations and status. They must also provide “local incident technicians” to assist with crashes and obstructions.

Some details remain for the Department of Motor Vehicles, California’s main autonomous vehicle regulator, to resolve. The law is scheduled to take effect in July 2028. The article says it may not prevent robotaxis from obstructing emergency responders, but could reduce disruption and increase accountability. It also raises the question of whether other states will follow California’s approach or wait for federal action.