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Comment by Daviey | Hacker News Reader

These are permits for Autonomous vehicles. Uber couldn't legitimately abide by a permit as they would need to confirm that the "autonomous vehicle is operated for testing purposes only"... and they want to use it as part of their business model straight away.

Without looking into the specific legislation, on the surface it looks like a reasonable interpretation.

All of the references from Uber state they are doing "self-driving".. which isn't IMHO Autonomous, as it is only Level 3. https://newsroom.uber.com/pittsburgh-self-driving-uber/

I'd expect Uber to obtain a license when they are ready to move towards driverless autonomous development, such as Level 4/5.

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Uber doesn't get to decide if they are in violation of California regulations.

As for the permit, there is no guarantee that Uber will get one if they apply for it; the state can refuse such an application. If they keep showing callous disregard for public safety, they may not even be around to get refused by the State of California.

Uber does get to decide if they follow the law and not the DMV's interpretation of it.

Providing the vehicle required human monitoring the actions of the car, it isn't classed as an autonomous vehicle.. or do you disagree with my interpretation of the below?

  (1) “Autonomous technology” means technology that has the capability to drive a vehicle without the active physical control or monitoring by a human operator.
  (2) (A) “Autonomous vehicle” means any vehicle equipped with autonomous technology that has been integrated into that vehicle.

http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xh...

Providing the vehicle design still requires a human to be monitoring the car, it by my interpretation not an autonomous vehicle. Obviously, this will change in the future.. and then they will require a permit.

Reading the regulations and DMV's commentary, there seems to be no prohibition on carrying passengers for hire while testing an autonomous vehicle. DMV decided not to allow "commercial vehicles" in this phase, but that means heavy trucks and buses requiring commercial plates.

The draft autonomous vehicle deployment regulations are tougher.[1] They include a data recorder requirement, testing, and demonstrations.

DMV seems to be trying hard here to do a good job. Somebody has to restrain the "move fast and break things" crowd before they leave blood on the pavement.

[1] https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/211897ae-c58a-4f28...

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