AB-2502 • 2026

Vehicles: driving under the influence: driving automation.

Crime Education Technology

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Pellerin
Last action: 2026-04-23
Official status: In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not mention specific requirements for state-mandated local programs beyond the fact that such a program would be imposed because of the bill's expansion of DUI laws.

Driving Under Influence Rules for Self-Driving Cars

AB-2502 changes the definition of 'driving under the influence' to include operating self-driving cars at certain automation levels.

What This Bill Does

Defines 'drive' as including the volitional movement of a vehicle with specified levels of driving automation for DUI violations.

Who It Names or Affects

People who use self-driving cars with certain levels of automation.
Law enforcement officers dealing with DUI cases involving automated vehicles.

Terms To Know

Driving Automation: Levels of technology that allow a vehicle to operate itself, but may still require human intervention in some situations.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify which levels of driving automation are included.
Does not provide details on penalties or enforcement procedures for these new definitions.

Bill History

2026-04-23 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-04-23 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 74. Noes 0.)
2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.
2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (April 15).
2026-03-25 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 24). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-03-25 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2026-03-09 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2502, as introduced, Pellerin.
Vehicles: driving under the influence: driving automation.
Existing law makes it unlawful for a person who has 0.08% or more, by weight, of alcohol in their blood to drive a vehicle or to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs and prescribes certain penalties depending on additional facts, such as whether the driving resulted in an injury to another. Existing decisional law holds that the slight volitional movement of the vehicle is sufficient for a driving under the influence violation.
This bill would state that for the purposes of a driving under the influence violation, “drive” includes the volitional movement of a vehicle with specified levels of driving automation, as defined. Because this bill would expand the scope of a crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse
local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF