Bill Text: NJ A2757 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Directs MVC to establish driver's license endorsement for autonomous vehicles.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-05-10 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee [A2757 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-A2757-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Directs MVC to establish driver's license endorsement for autonomous vehicles.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning autonomous vehicles, and supplementing chapter 3 of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey
1. For the purposes of this act:
"Artificial intelligence" means the use of computers and related equipment to enable a machine to duplicate or mimic the behavior of human beings.
"Autonomous mode" means the operation of the autonomous vehicle without the active control of a human being.
"Autonomous vehicle" means a motor vehicle that uses artificial intelligence, sensors, global positioning system coordinates, or any other technology to carry out the mechanical operations of driving without the active control and continuous monitoring of a human operator.
"Sensors" include, without limitation, cameras, lasers, and radar.
2. a. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission shall establish a driver's license endorsement for the operation of autonomous vehicles on the highways, roads, and streets of this State. A person shall not operate an autonomous vehicle in autonomous mode unless that person has obtained an endorsement on that person's driver's license to operate an autonomous vehicle.
b. An endorsement to a driver's license allowing a person to operate an autonomous vehicle shall not require that a person actively drive the autonomous vehicle.
3. The Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission shall adopt regulations, pursuant to the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), authorizing the operation of autonomous vehicles on highways, roads, and streets in this State. The regulations shall include, but not be limited to:
a. Requirements an autonomous vehicle must meet before it may be operated on any highway, road, or street within this State;
b. Requirements for proof of insurance as required by P.L.1972, c.197 (C.39:6B-1) to test or operate an autonomous vehicle on any highway, road, or street within this State, in consultation with the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1972, c.200 (C.39:3-29.1);
c. Requirements for the registration of the autonomous vehicle, pursuant to R.S.39:3-4;
d. Minimum safety standards for autonomous vehicles and their operation;
e. Requirements for testing autonomous vehicles;
f. Restrictions for testing autonomous vehicles in specified geographic areas; and
g. Any other requirements the chief administrator determines to be necessary.
4. No provision in this act, or in any manual, test, or administrative procedure developed to implement the provisions of this act, shall be deemed to expand the requirements set forth in federal law or regulation. This section shall not be deemed to limit the authority of the chief administrator, or the authority of any State department or agency, to promulgate, pursuant to other provisions of State law, standards and procedures on vehicle inspections that are consistent with federal law and regulation.
5. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill directs the Motor Vehicle Commission to establish a driver's license endorsement for the operation of autonomous vehicles on the highways, roads, and streets of this State. "Autonomous vehicle" means a motor vehicle that uses artificial intelligence, sensors, global positioning system coordinates, or any other technology that enables it to drive itself without the active control and continuous monitoring of a human operator.
The Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission shall also establish regulations authorizing the operation of autonomous vehicles that shall include, but are not limited to: requirements the autonomous vehicle must meet before it may be operated on highways, roads, or streets; requirements for proof of insurance to test or operate an autonomous vehicle on highways, roads, or streets in consultation with the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance; requirements for registration; minimum safety standards for autonomous vehicles and their operation; requirements for testing autonomous vehicles; restrictions for testing autonomous vehicles in specified geographic areas; and any other requirements the chief administrator determines to be necessary. Nothing in this act shall expand on federal law or limit the authority of the chief administrator, or authority of other State department or agency, to promulgate standards and procedures on vehicle inspections that are consistent with federal law or regulation.
