California Allows Testing of Driverless Cars with Passengers

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved the testing of self-driving vehicles with passengers on board.

But the commission, which regulates transportation companies in the state, rejected requests by ride-hailing services to charge passengers for such rides. CPUC Commissioner Liane Randolph reasons that making the rides free reinforces the testing nature of pilot programs and will encourage the public to be “more mindful” of their experience and provide useful feedback.

CPUC also ruled that companies must continue to issue reports about their autonomous vehicle testing, including detailing the number of vehicles tested, miles driven, accidents and how often and why human safety drivers assumed control during a test. The commission says such disclosures will help transportation providers and the public assess the safety of autonomous vehicles.

Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo unit’s fleet of 75 vehicles completed some 352,500 miles in autonomous driving mode in California during the latest 12-month reporting period, which ended last November. General Motors Co.’s Cruise Automation unit was second with 125,000 autonomous miles driven by 96 vehicles operated in California.

More than 50 companies have received permission to test autonomous cars on public roads in California. In April, California’s Dept. of Motor Vehicles allowed developers to conduct such tests without a backup driver on board, which previously had been required.