Bill > S07956

This bill prohibits heavy autonomous vehicles (those with a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,001 pounds) from operating on public highways without a human safety operator present. Specifically, the bill requires that a licensed driver of the appropriate vehicle class must be inside the vehicle while it is in operation. The bill defines key technical terms, including "autonomous vehicle technology" as the hardware and software capable of performing part or all of the "dynamic driving task" - which is defined as the real-time operational and tactical functions required to operate a vehicle in traffic, excluding strategic functions like trip planning. Importantly, the bill will only take effect after the state adopts a separate law that would potentially allow fully autonomous vehicles to operate without a human driver. This suggests the current bill is a cautionary measure to ensure human oversight and safety for large autonomous vehicles until more comprehensive autonomous vehicle regulations are established.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7956