Vermont Governors Highway Safety Program: Fill & Download for Free

I wrote an answer to a similar question back in january of 2017: Bob Reisner's answer to How, where, and when will self-driving driving cars be legalised?It is still a worthwhile read. It clearly shows that self drive is legal in many states and surprisingly in Florida it is already legal for end consumers. Not in the answer below is the fact that there will be a national override to state laws that will allow substantial introduction of self drive in all states.The most current information can be found at: Autonomous Vehicles | Self-Driving Vehicles Enacted Legislation Bottom line is that autonomous self drive is substantially legal across most of the USA population.The text and graphics below the break are extracted from this web pageAUTONOMOUS VEHICLES | SELF-DRIVING VEHICLES ENACTED LEGISLATION 10/23/2017Autonomous VehiclesMany people consider autonomous vehicles to be a significant part of the future of the automotive industry.As the technology for autonomous vehicles continues to develop, it may be necessary for state and municipal governments to address the potential impacts of these vehicles on the road.Each year, the number of states considering legislation related to autonomous vehicles has gradually increased.In 2017, 33 states have introduced legislation. Last year, 20 states introduced legislation.Sixteen states introduced legislation in 2015, up from 12 states in 2014, nine states and D.C. in 2013, and six states in 2012.Since 2012, at least 41 states and D.C. have considered legislation related to autonomous vehicles.Twenty-one states—Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Vermont—and Washington D.C. have passed legislation related to autonomous vehicles.Governors in Arizona, Delaware, Massachusetts, Washingtonand Wisconsin issued executive orders related to autonomous vehicles.Legislative DatabaseNCSL has a NEW autonomous vehicles legislative database, providing up-to-date, real-time information about state autonomous vehicle legislation that has been introduced in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.Federal ActionOn Sep. 12, the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) released new federal guidance for Automated Driving Systems (ADS). A Vision for Safety 2.0, the latest guidance for automated driving systems to industry and the states.The guidance builds on NHTSA’s 2016 guidance. For more information on the 2016 guidance please see NCSL’s Info Alert.Separated into two sections – voluntary guidance and technical assistance to states – the new guidance focuses on SAE international levels of automation 3-5, clarifies that entities do not need to wait to test or deploy their ADS, revises design elements from the safety self-assessment, aligns federal guidance with the latest developments and terminology, and clarifies the role of federal and state governments. The guidance reinforces the voluntary nature of the guidelines, and does not come with a compliance requirement or enforcement mechanism. The guidance attempts to provide best practices for legislatures, incorporating common safety-related components and elements regarding ADSs that states should consider incorporating into legislation. Additionally, it includes DOTs view of federal and state roles, and provides best practices for state legislatures, and best practices for highway safety officials.NHTSA’s updated guidance comes on the heels of the Sept. 6, passage of the SELF Drive Act (H.R. 3388) that aims to make several changes to federal law impacting autonomous vehicles. NCSL, along with several state groups, issued letters as the bill made its way through the House. The bill includes four main sections: expansion of federal preemption; updates to federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS); exemptions from FMVSS and a federal automated vehicles advisory council. For more information on the House bill, see NCSL’s Info Alert.On Sep. 28, the Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) unveiled legislation regarding autonomous vehicles—the American Vision for Safer Transportation Through Advancement of Revolutionary Technologies (AV START) Act. The Commerce Committee will consider the legislation at a markup scheduled for Oct. 4. The AV START Act is similar to the House passed SELF DRIVE Act but does contain some significant differences. For more on the Senate bill, see NCSL's info alert.In January 2016, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx unveiled new policy that updates the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) 2013 preliminary policy statement on autonomous vehicles. This announcement was made at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in conjunction with a commitment of nearly $4 billion over the next 10 years to accelerate the development and adoption of safe vehicle automation. The new policy is designed to facilitate and encourage the development and deployment of technologies with the potential to save lives. Within six months, NHTSA will propose guidance to industry on establishing principles of safe operation for fully autonomous vehicles.State ActionNevada was the first state to authorize the operation of autonomous vehicles in 2011. Since then, 20 other states—Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Vermont—and Washington D.C. have passed legislation related to autonomous vehicles. Governors in Arizona, Delaware, Massachusetts, Washington and Wisconsin issued executive orders related to autonomous vehicles.Florida’s legislation, passed in 2012, declared the legislative intent to encourage the safe development, testing and operation of motor vehicles with autonomous technology on public roads of the state and found that the state does not prohibit nor specifically regulate the testing or operation of autonomous technology in motor vehicles on public roads. Florida's 2016 legislation expands the allowed operation of autonomous vehicles on public roads and eliminates requirements related to the testing of autonomous vehicles and the presence of a driver in the vehicle.Virginia's governor Terry McAuliffe announced in early June 2015 a partnership allowing research and development for autonomous vehicles to take place in the state with “Virginia Automated Corridors.”Arizona’s Governor Doug Ducey signed an executive order in late August 2015 directing various agencies to “undertake any necessary steps to support the testing and operation of self-driving vehicles on public roads within Arizona.” He also ordered the enabling of pilot programs at selected universities and developed rules to be followed by the programs. The order established a Self-Driving Vehicle Oversight Committee within the governor’s office.Delaware's Governor John Carney signed an executive order in September 2017 establishing the Advisory Council on Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, tasked with developing recommendations for innovative tools and strategies that can be used to prepare Delaware’s transportation network for connected and autonomous vehicles.Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed an executive order in October 2016, “To Promote the Testing and Deployment of Highly Automated Driving Technologies.” The order created a working group on AVs and the group is expected to work with experts on vehicle safety and automation, work with members of the legislature on proposed legislation, and support agreements that AV companies will enter with the state DOT, municipalities and state agencies.Washington’s Governor Jay Inslee signed an executive order in June 2017 to address autonomous vehicle testing and establish an autonomous vehicle work group. The order requires that state agencies with pertinent regulator jurisdiction “support the safe testing and operation of autonomous vehicles on Washington’s public roads.” It establishes an interagency work group and enables pilot programs throughout the state. The order specifies certain requirements for vehicles operated with human operators present in the vehicle and for vehicles operated without human operators in the vehicle.Wisconsin’s Governor Scott Walker signed an executive order in May 2017 creating the Governor’s Steering Committee on Autonomous and Connected Vehicle Testing and Deployment. The committee is tasked with advising the governor “on how best to advance the testing and operation of autonomous and connected vehicles in the State of Wisconsin.” The order specifies the members of the committee, including six legislators from the state. The duties of the committee include identifying all agencies in the state with jurisdiction over testing and deployment of the vehicles, coordinating with the agencies to address concerns related to issues such as “vehicle registration, licensing, insurance, traffic regulations, equipment standards, and vehicle owner or operator responsibilities and liabilities under current law,” and reviewing current state laws and regulations that may impede testing and deployment, along with other tasks. The state department of transportation is required to submit a final report to the governor by June 30, 2018.