California DMV Opens Second 15-Day Comment Period for Autonomous Vehicle Regulations

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has announced that it is opening a second 15‑day public comment period on its proposed regulations governing autonomous heavy- and light‑duty vehicles. The revised rulemaking, released on Jan. 21, 2026, invites members of the public and industry stakeholders to comment on modifications that have been made in response to feedback received during the initial public comment period【125669834284015†screenshot】. The comment window runs until Feb. 5, 2026, giving interested parties two weeks to review the proposal and submit comments to the department.

According to the DMV, the proposed regulations would authorize companies to test and deploy driverless heavy trucks on public roads once certain safety and reporting conditions are met. Following the initial comment period, the department amended the rules to include a 120‑day delay before remote assistance data reporting requirements take effect, recognizing industry requests for more time to implement teleoperation data systems【125669834284015†screenshot】. The revised draft also updates collision reporting rules to reflect the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s June 2025 standing general order on automated driving systems, and clarifies that companies must provide details on how remote operators will monitor vehicle performance and safely take over control in case of an emergency【125669834284015†screenshot】. The DMV further clarified that remote assistance activities are subject to the same confidentiality protections as traditional testing data and added an explanation of the economic impact of the proposal on small businesses【125669834284015†screenshot】.

For consumers, the proposed regulations will ultimately affect how heavy trucks and other autonomous vehicles share California’s roads. The DMV notes that these rules are intended to support innovation while ensuring public safety. Members of the public can review the revised text at dmv.ca.gov and send comments to the department’s Autonomous Vehicles Unit before Feb. 5【125669834284015†screenshot】. After the comment period closes, the DMV will consider the feedback and determine whether additional changes or public hearings are necessary before finalizing the regulations.

While the agency works on these complex policy questions, it urges Californians to take advantage of its online services for most DMV tasks, such as license renewals, vehicle registration and Real ID applications. The DMV continues to expand digital services and encourages residents to go paperless, sign up for email and text notifications and use the MyDMV portal to manage records. The department emphasizes that no appointments are required for Real ID applications at many field offices, though applicants must bring documentation proving identity, Social Security number and California residency. Residents interested in the autonomous vehicle rulemaking are encouraged to submit comments and participate in the process to help shape the future of self‑driving technology in the state.