Waymo Cleared to Test Robotic Cars without Backup Drivers

Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo unit has become the first developer to be granted permission by California to use public roads to test robotic cars that have no human backup driver on board.

The permit from the state’s Dept. of Motor Vehicles allows Waymo to deploy a fleet of nearly 40 completely driverless vehicles in Silicon Valley’s Santa Clara county, Reuters reports. Waymo will be able to test the cars day and night on city, suburban and rural roads and highways with posted speed limits as great as 65 mph.

The state’s DMV requires Waymo to closely monitor the automated vehicles, provide two-way communications with passengers and notify communities before it begins testing. The company also must carry at least $5 million in insurance for its fleet.

California already licenses about 60 developers to operate autonomous vehicles on public roads, as long as a human backup driver is behind the wheel and prepared to take control. Reuters notes that the state broadened its rules in April to allow tests involving truly driverless vehicles.