All Roll Calls
Yes: 207 • No: 0
CaliforniaSB 4802025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Autonomous vehicles.
Sponsored By: Bob Archuleta (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Light self-driving cars must be zero-emission
Beginning January 1, 2030, model year 2031 or newer self-driving cars under 8,501 pounds must be zero-emission to get a deployment permit. This applies only where federal law allows it. The DMV cannot start rulemaking for this rule before January 1, 2027.
DMV oversight and driverless approval rules
The DMV sets the rules for insurance proof, applications, testing, equipment, and performance standards. The DMV must hold public hearings before allowing driverless operation. It can limit total deployments, set special registration and licensing, and suspend or deny approvals. The DMV can require a human in the driver’s seat if needed for safety. When new rules are adopted, approvals start only 30 days after the DMV posts public notice online. The DMV can charge cost-recovery fees to process applications. If a federal NHTSA rule conflicts with state rules, the federal rule controls.
Testing self-driving cars needs $5M coverage
Manufacturers can test on public roads with a trained, designated driver in the seat ready to take control. Before testing, the manufacturer must hold at least $5,000,000 in insurance, a surety bond, or self-insurance. The manufacturer must give the DMV proof of this coverage as the rules require.
Safety approvals and data for self-driving cars
Before regular use on public roads, a manufacturer must get DMV approval. The application must show safety controls, an in-cabin ADS on/off light, and alerts with safe fallback if the system fails. The car must let a human retake control in more than one way and meet federal motor vehicle safety standards. The maker must keep at least $5,000,000 in insurance or a bond and certify it tested on public roads under DMV rules. The car must save at least 30 seconds of sensor data before a crash in read-only form and keep it for three years.
Buyers get a data collection notice
Manufacturers must give buyers a written notice that explains what the self-driving system collects. The notice is provided at the time of sale.
Definitions for self-driving tech, cars, and operators
Autonomous technology is tech that can drive without a person actively controlling or watching it. An autonomous vehicle is a car with Level 3–5 automation under SAE J3016, not just driver-assist features. The operator is the person in the driver’s seat, or if empty, the person who turns the system on. A manufacturer includes the original builder that installs the tech or a company that later adds it.
Marker lamps show when self-driving is on
Starting January 1, 2026, cars can use marker lamps to show when the automated driving system is engaged. The lamps must meet SAE J3134 and J578 standards. The law also allows these ADS marker lamps even if their color would normally be restricted.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Bob Archuleta
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 9/3/2025
Item 47 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 40 • No: 0
House vote • 8/28/2025
Item 143 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 74 • No: 0
legislature vote • 8/20/2025
Vote in CX25
Yes: 15 • No: 0
legislature vote • 7/16/2025
Vote in CX39
Yes: 9 • No: 0
legislature vote • 7/7/2025
Vote in CX22
Yes: 16 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/27/2025
Item 139 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 39 • No: 0
legislature vote • 3/25/2025
Vote in CS59
Yes: 14 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 415, Statutes of 2025.
10/6/2025SenateApproved by the Governor.
10/6/2025legislatureEnrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
9/9/2025legislatureAssembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2443.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
9/3/2025SenateIn Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
8/28/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. (Ayes 74. Noes 0. Page 2776.) Ordered to the Senate.
8/28/2025HouseRead second time. Ordered to consent calendar.
8/21/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass. Ordered to consent calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (August 20).
8/20/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (July 16). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
7/17/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on C. & C. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (July 7). Re-referred to Com. on C. & C.
7/8/2025HouseFrom committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.
6/26/2025HouseReferred to Coms. on TRANS. and C. & C.
6/5/2025HouseIn Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
5/28/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 1236.) Ordered to the Assembly.
5/27/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
4/8/2025SenateFrom committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.
4/7/2025SenateSet for hearing April 7.
3/28/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 14. Noes 0. Page 534.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
3/26/2025SenateSet for hearing March 25.
3/18/2025SenateReferred to Com. on TRANS.
2/26/2025SenateFrom printer. May be acted upon on or after March 22.
2/20/2025SenateIntroduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
2/19/2025Senate
Bill Text
Chaptered
10/6/2025
Enrolled
9/5/2025
Amended Assembly
6/26/2025
Introduced
2/19/2025