Read the full stored bill text
1
__________________________ 1
Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie 2
3
4
A BILL 5
6
_______________ 7
8
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 9
10
________________________ 11
12
13
To amend the Autonomous Vehicle Act of 2012 to establish a framework for autonomous 14
vehicle operations, including commercial operations, within the District of Columbia. 15
16
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 17
act may be cited as the “Autonomous Vehicles Amendment Act of 2025”. 18
Sec. 2. The Autonomous Vehicle Act of 2012, effective Apr. 23, 2013 (D.C. Law 19-278; 19
D.C. Official Code § 50-2351 et seq.) is amended as follows: 20
(a) Section 2 (D.C. Official Code § 50-2351) is amended to read as follows: 21
“Sec. 2. Definitions. 22
For the purposes of this chapter, the term: 23
(1) "Associated autonomous vehicle" means an autonomous vehicle that an autonomous 24
vehicle testing entity identifies in its autonomous vehicle testing permit application pursuant to § 25
50-2352.01, and any subsequent autonomous vehicles approved to operate pursuant to § 50-26
2352.01(f)(1) or permitted by law to operate without subsequent approval. 27
(2) "Automated driving system" means the hardware and software that are collectively 28
capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task on a sustained basis, regardless of whether 29
it is limited to a specific operational design domain. 30
2
(3) "Autonomous operation" means the performance of the entire dynamic driving task 31
by an autonomous driving system, beginning upon the performance of the entire dynamic driving 32
task by an autonomous driving system and continuing until the autonomous driving system is 33
disengaged. 34
(4) "Autonomous vehicle" means a motor vehicle equipped with an autonomous driving 35
system, regardless of whether the vehicle is under autonomous operation. 36
(5) "AV testing entity" means a person or entity applying for or issued an AV testing 37
permit by the Department. 38
(6) "AV testing permit" means a permit issued by the Department pursuant to § 50-39
2352.01. 40
(7) "Department" means the District Department of Transportation. 41
(8) "Director" means the Director of the District Department of Transportation. 42
(9) "Dynamic driving task" means all of the real-time operational and tactical functions 43
collectively required to operate a vehicle in on-road traffic, excluding the strategic functions such 44
as trip scheduling and selection of destinations and waypoints, and including: 45
(A) Lateral vehicle motion control via steering; 46
(B) Longitudinal motion control via acceleration and deceleration; 47
(C) Monitoring the driving environment via object and event detection, 48
recognition, classification, and response preparation; 49
(D) Object and event response execution; 50
(E) Maneuver planning; and 51
(F) Enhancing conspicuity via lighting, signaling, and gesturing. 52
3
(10) “Fully autonomous vehicle” means a vehicle equipped with an automated driving 53
system designed to function without a human driver as a level 4 or 5 system under SAE J3016B. 54
(11) “Human driver” means a natural person in the vehicle with a valid license to operate 55
a motor vehicle who controls all or part of the dynamic driving task. 56
(12) "Minimal risk condition" means a condition to which a test operator or autonomous 57
driving system brings a vehicle to reduce the risk of a crash when a trip cannot or should not be 58
completed, such as bringing the vehicle to a complete stop. 59
(13) “On-demand autonomous vehicle network” means a transportation service network 60
that uses a software application or other digital means to dispatch or otherwise enable the pre-61
arrangement of transportation with fully autonomous vehicles for purposes of transporting 62
passengers or goods, including for-hire transportation and transportation of passengers or goods 63
for compensation. 64
(14) "Operate" means collectively, the activities performed by a test operator or an 65
autonomous driving system to perform the entire dynamic driving task for an associated 66
autonomous vehicle. 67
(15) "Operational design domain" means the operating conditions under which a given 68
automated driving system is specifically designed to function, including environmental, 69
geographical, and time-of-day restrictions, and/or the requisite presence or absence of certain 70
traffic or roadway characteristics. 71
(16) “Public roadway” means a street, road, or public thoroughfare that allows motor 72
vehicles. 73
(17) "Remote operator" means an employee, contractor, or other designee of the 74
autonomous testing entity who is not physically present in an associated autonomous vehicle, but 75
4
is actively monitoring the autonomous operation of the vehicle in real time and is able to operate 76
the vehicle or is able to communicate with occupants of the vehicle. 77
(18) “Request to intervene” means a notification by an automated driving system to a 78
human driver, that the human driver should promptly begin or resume performance of part or all 79
of the dynamic driving task. 80
(19) “SAE J3016B” means the Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms Related to Driving 81
Automation Systems for On-Road Motor Vehicles published by SAE International in June 2018.” 82
(20) "Testing" means the operation of an associated autonomous vehicle on public 83
roadways to assess or demonstrate the associated autonomous vehicle's capabilities, including 84
operating an associated autonomous vehicle with occupants other than a test operator. 85
(21) "Test operator" means an employee, contractor, or other designee of the autonomous 86
vehicle testing entity who engages an autonomous driving system and performs, in real time, part 87
or all of the dynamic driving task. 88
(22) “Traffic control device” means a traffic signal, traffic sign, electronic traffic sign, 89
pavement marking, or other sign, device, or apparatus designed and installed to direct moving 90
traffic. 91
(b) Section 3 (D.C. Official Code §50-2352) is revived as of July 11, 2025, and amended 92
to read as follows: 93
“Section 3. Autonomous vehicles permitted and registration requirements. 94
(a) A person or entity may operate a fully autonomous vehicle on the public roads of this 95
state without a human driver provided that the automated driving system is engaged and the 96
vehicle meets the following conditions: 97
5
(1) If a failure of the automated driving system occurs that renders that system 98
unable to perform the entire dynamic driving task relevant to its intended operational design 99
domain, the fully autonomous vehicle will achieve a minimal risk condition; 100
(2) The fully autonomous vehicle is capable of operating in compliance with the 101
applicable traffic and motor vehicle safety laws and regulations of the District when reasonable 102
to do so, unless an exemption has been granted by the Department; and 103
(3) When required by federal law, the vehicle bears the required manufacturer's 104
certification label indicating that at the time of its manufacture it has been certified to be in 105
compliance with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, including reference to 106
any exemption granted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 107
(b) Prior to operating a fully autonomous vehicle on the public roads of the District 108
without a human driver, a person or entity shall submit a law enforcement interaction plan to the 109
Department that describes: 110
(1) How to communicate with a fleet support specialist who is available during 111
the times the vehicle is in operation; 112
(2) How to safely remove the fully autonomous vehicle from the roadway and 113
steps to safely tow the vehicle; 114
(3) How to recognize whether the fully autonomous vehicle is in autonomous 115
mode; and 116
(4) Any additional information the manufacturer or owner deems necessary 117
regarding hazardous conditions or public safety risks associated with the operation of the fully 118
autonomous vehicle. 119
6
(c) An autonomous vehicle must be properly registered pursuant to the District of 120
Columbia Revenue Act of 1937, approved August 17, 1937 (50 Stat. 679; D.C. Official Code § 121
50-1501 et seq.), to operate on a public roadway. 122
(1) If a fully autonomous vehicle is registered in the District, the vehicle shall be 123
identified on the registration as a fully autonomous vehicle. 124
(2) If a fully autonomous vehicle is titled in the District, the vehicle shall be 125
identified on the title as a fully autonomous vehicle.” 126
(c) Section 3c (D.C. Official Code § 50-2352.03) is amended as follows: 127
(1) A new subsection (d) is added to read as follows: 128
(d) In the event of a crash of a fully autonomous vehicle: 129
(A) The fully autonomous vehicle shall remain on the scene of the crash when 130
required by D.C. Official Code § 50-2201.05c, consistent with its capability under Section 3. 131
(B) The owner of the fully autonomous vehicle, or a person on behalf of the 132
vehicle owner, shall provide to the Department copies of any collision reports relating to 133
collisions in the District that are provided to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 134
pursuant to the Second Amended Standing General Order 2021-01. Any such reports shall be 135
provided to the Department within one day of the provision to the National Highway Traffic 136
Safety Administration.” 137
(d) New sections 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g and 4h are added to read as follows: 138
“Sec. 4b. Licensing. 139
(a) When an automated driving system installed on a motor vehicle is engaged: 140
(1) The automated driving system is considered the driver or operator, for the 141
purpose of assessing compliance with applicable traffic or motor vehicle laws and shall be 142
7
deemed to satisfy electronically all physical acts required by a driver or operator of the vehicle; 143
and 144
(2) The automated driving system is considered to be licensed to operate the 145
vehicle.”. 146
“Sec. 4c. On-demand autonomous vehicle network. 147
(a) An on-demand autonomous vehicle network shall be permitted to operate pursuant to 148
District laws governing the operation of transportation network companies, taxis, or any other 149
ground transportation for-hire of passengers, with the exception that any provision of law that 150
reasonably applies only to a human driver would not apply to the operation of fully autonomous 151
vehicles with the automated driving system engaged on an on-demand autonomous vehicle 152
network.”. 153
“Sec. 4d. Insurance. 154
(a) Before operating a fully autonomous vehicle on public roads in the District without a 155
human driver, a person shall submit proof of financial responsibility satisfactory to the 156
Department that the fully autonomous vehicle is covered by insurance or proof of self-insurance 157
that satisfies the requirements of applicable Chapter 13 of Title 50 of the D.C. Official Code 158
(D.C. Official Code § 50-1301.01 et seq.)”. 159
“Sec. 4e. Operation of a motor vehicle with an automated driving system by a human 160
driver 161
(a) A person may operate a motor vehicle equipped with an automated driving system 162
capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task if: 163
8
(1) Such automated driving system will issue a request to intervene whenever the 164
automated driving system is not capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task with the 165
expectation that the person will respond appropriately to such a request; and 166
(2) The automated driving system is capable of being operated in compliance with 167
Chapter 22 of Title 50 of the D.C. Official Code (D.C. Official Code § 50-2201.01 et seq.) when 168
reasonable to do so unless an exemption has been granted by the Department. 169
(b) Nothing in this Act prohibits or restricts a human driver from operating a fully 170
autonomous vehicle equipped with controls that allow for the human driver to control all or part 171
of the dynamic driving task.”. 172
“4f. Operation of commercial vehicles. 173
(a) A fully autonomous vehicle that is also a commercial motor vehicle pursuant to 174
Chapter 1 of Title 50 of the D.C. Official Code (D.C. Official Code § 50-101 et seq.) may 175
operate pursuant to District laws governing the operation of commercial motor vehicles, except 176
that any provision that by its nature reasonably only applies to a human driver does not apply to 177
such a vehicle operating with the automated driving system engaged.” 178
“4g. Vehicle equipment standards. 179
(a) A fully autonomous vehicle that is designed to be operated exclusively by the 180
automated driving system for all trips is not subject to motor vehicle equipment laws or 181
regulations of this state that: (1) relate to or support motor vehicle operation by a human driver 182
seated in the vehicle; and (2) are not relevant for an automated driving system.” 183
“4h. Controlling Authority: 184
(a) Unless otherwise provided in this chapter and notwithstanding any other provision of 185
law, fully autonomous vehicles and automated driving systems are governed exclusively by this 186
9
Act. The Department is the sole and exclusive District agency that may implement the provisions 187
of this Act. 188
(b) No other District agency or political subdivision may prohibit the operation of fully 189
autonomous vehicles, automated driving systems, or on-demand autonomous vehicle networks, 190
or otherwise enact or keep in force rules or ordinances that would impose taxes, fees, or other 191
requirements (including performance standards), specific to the operation of fully autonomous 192
vehicles, automated driving systems, or on-demand autonomous vehicle networks in addition to 193
the requirements of this Act.” 194
Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement. 195
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal 196
impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, 197
approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 198
Sec. 4. Effective date. 199
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 200
Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto) and a 30-day period of congressional review 201
as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 202
24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)). 203