A new California law will require autonomous vehicle (AV) technology companies like Tesla, Waymo, and Zoox to provide local, on-the-ground support to first responders when their robotaxis cause issues. Companies could face penalties if a robotaxi blocks police or firefighters for more than 30 minutes.
Senate Bill 1246, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, establishes a series of new rules for AVs aimed at improving safety and response times when they become disabled or interfere with emergency responders. The law also creates mechanisms to hold these companies accountable if they fail to comply.
The legislation comes after a series of high-profile incidents in California where robotaxis broke down, disrupted traffic, drove into crime scenes, or impeded first responders.
Many of these incidents involved Waymo, the largest robotaxi operator in the U.S., which operates approximately 4,000 autonomous vehicles nationwide, with about 1,200 in the San Francisco Bay Area. A TechCrunch investigation earlier this year highlighted instances where Waymo relied on first responders to manually drive its vehicles when they encountered problems.
These incidents led state and federal lawmakers to call for stricter regulations on robotaxis, particularly concerning their interactions with first responders. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) even sent a letter to AV developers urging them to develop "solutions" to the problem.
This new California law aims to address these concerns within the state.
"California has embraced autonomous vehicles, but we cannot embrace innovation at the expense of public safety. When an autonomous vehicle crashes, breaks down, blocks a roadway in an emergency, or gets in the way of law enforcement or first responders, there must be clear accountability," stated state Senator Dave Cortese, who introduced the bill.
Under the law, AV developers are restricted to employing remote drivers based in the United States who must hold a U.S. driver’s license. This requirement is intended to address concerns about how companies utilize remote operations when autonomous vehicles encounter difficulties.
The term "remote operations" has been interpreted broadly, with limited information available about the methods AV companies employ. The law's definition of "remote drivers" is more specific, referring to a human who directly operates or drives the vehicle from a distance. Tesla is the only company that has publicly disclosed having remote operators capable of taking direct control of its robotaxis.
Other companies, such as Waymo, have stated they use forms of remote assistance where the self-driving system remains in control, and a human employee can offer guidance or send software commands if necessary. Waymo maintains a global network of remote assistance staff, including in the Philippines, and operates command centers in Arizona and Michigan. Zoox’s remote operations teams are based in the United States, according to the company.
The law will also mandate that AV companies notify cities, towns, and other local jurisdictions about the location and status of vehicles during system-wide failures. They must also provide "local incident technicians" to assist with AV accidents and obstructions. Companies can be fined if an AV blocks first responders during an emergency for over 30 minutes.
Companies like Waymo and Zoox have indicated their intention to comply.
"We are grateful for the amendments made to the bill, which ensure autonomous vehicle operators can still feasibly serve Californians," a Waymo spokesperson said in an emailed company statement. "Waymo is committed to making roads safer in California and continually improving our service."
The law is set to take effect in July 2028. The California Department of Motor Vehicles, which oversees autonomous vehicles in the state, will establish guidelines for specific aspects of the new law, including required response times.
