California law sets new robotaxi safety and accountability rules
California has passed a law setting new requirements for autonomous vehicle companies, aiming to reduce disruption when robotaxis fail or interfere with emergency responders. The rules are intended to improve safety and response times, and to make companies more accountable as robotaxi use expands.
Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate Bill 1246 requires companies such as Tesla, Waymo and Zoox to provide local support, report vehicle status during system-wide failures, and use US-based remote drivers with US licences. Companies could face penalties if a vehicle blocks police or firefighters for more than 30 minutes. The law is due to take effect in July 2028, with further details to be set by California’s Department of Motor Vehicles.
- California passed new rules for autonomous vehicles.
- Companies must provide local support during incidents.
- The law takes effect in July 2028.
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Robotaxis are self-driving vehicles operated by companies like Waymo, Tesla and Zoox that function as autonomous taxis in cities. These vehicles have become increasingly common on California roads in recent years, but have sometimes caused disruptions—blocking roads, interfering with emergency responders or experiencing widespread system failures.
These incidents have prompted concerns from local authorities and regulators about safety and emergency response. When a vehicle breaks down, local officials often have no clear way to contact the operating company for swift assistance, and a robotaxi blocking a fire engine or police car can delay critical emergency services. The incidents have highlighted what regulators view as accountability gaps between the companies and the communities they operate in.
The growth of robotaxi services has created friction between the technology companies and local communities and authorities. Without clear rules and processes for dealing with breakdowns or incidents, neither cities nor companies have had consistent ways to manage the problems that arise. Regulators worldwide face a growing challenge as autonomous vehicles increasingly operate at scale in busy urban areas, where breakdowns and incidents can have serious consequences for public services.
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The case for
Supporters of the law argue that as robotaxis become commonplace, government must establish clear safety standards and accountability mechanisms to protect the public and emergency services. The regulations are carefully crafted to address genuine harms—such as autonomous vehicles blocking ambulances and fire trucks—and impose reasonable, achievable requirements that demonstrate company responsibility without preventing autonomous vehicle deployment. Without mandatory oversight, commercial incentives alone cannot reliably ensure public safety, particularly during system failures or unexpected situations.
The case against
Opponents contend that prescriptive regulation risks undermining the development of autonomous vehicle technology, which promises to reduce accidents caused by human error far more effectively than existing rules could. Requirements such as mandatory US-based remote drivers impose operational costs and restrictions that may not meaningfully improve safety whilst encumbering the technology's growth and competitiveness. Competitive market pressure and liability law provide strong existing incentives for safety; early regulatory mandates risk entrenching particular technological approaches and protecting incumbent transportation interests against innovative disruption.
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Originally published by TechCrunch as “TechCrunch Mobility: Reining in robotaxis”.