Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:400.3 – A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, an autonomous commercial motor vehicle may operate in this state without a conventional driver physically present in th
Terms Used In Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:400.3
- Autonomous commercial motor vehicle: means a motor vehicle used in commerce and equipped with an automated driving system, including those designed to function without a driver. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:400.1
- Commercial motor vehicle: means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle has a gross combination weight rating of twenty-six thousand one or more pounds inclusive of a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than ten thousand pounds. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:400.1
- Department: means the Department of Transportation and Development. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1
- Driver: means every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1
- Dynamic driving task: means all of the real-time operational and tactical functions required to operate a vehicle in on-road traffic excluding strategic functions such as trip scheduling and selection of destinations and waypoints. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:400.1
- Minimal risk condition: means a condition to which a user or an automated driving system may bring a vehicle in order to reduce the risk of a crash upon experiencing a failure of the vehicle's automated driving system that renders the vehicle unable to perform the entire dynamic driving task. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:400.1
- Motor vehicle: means every vehicle which is self-propelled, and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails, but excluding a motorized bicycle and an electric-assisted bicycle. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1
- Operational: means steering, braking, accelerating, or monitoring the vehicle and roadway. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1
- Operational design domain: means a description of the specific operating domain in which an autonomous commercial motor vehicle is designed to properly operate including but not limited to roadway types, speed, environmental conditions, and other domain constraints. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:400.1
- person: includes a body of persons, whether incorporated or not. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 1:10
- Railroad: means a carrier of persons or property upon cars, other than streetcars, operated upon stationary rails. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1
- Traffic: means pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, and other conveyances either singly or together while using any highway for purposes of travel. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1
- Vehicle: means every device by which persons or things may be transported upon a public highway or bridge, except devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1
A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, an autonomous commercial motor vehicle may operate in this state without a conventional driver physically present in the vehicle if the autonomous commercial motor vehicle meets all of the following criteria:
(1) Is capable of operating in compliance with applicable federal law and the traffic and motor vehicle laws of this state including but not limited to applicable laws concerning the capability to safely navigate and negotiate railroad crossings.
(2) Is properly registered and titled in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. 32:701 et seq. and La. Rev. Stat. 47:463.
(3) Is certified in accordance with 49 C.F.R. part 567 as being in compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standards and bears the required certification label or labels including reference to any exemption granted under applicable federal law.
(4) Is capable of achieving a minimal risk condition if a failure occurs rendering the vehicle unable to perform the dynamic driving task relevant to its intended operational design domain or if the vehicle exits its operational design domain.
(5) Is covered by motor vehicle liability coverage in an amount not less than two million dollars.
B. The registration of an autonomous commercial motor vehicle shall not be interpreted to abrogate or amend any statutory or regulatory provisions or any aspects of law pertaining to liability for any harm or injury caused.
C. Prior to commencing the operation of an autonomous commercial motor vehicle without a conventional driver present in the cab, a person or entity shall submit a written statement to the Department of Transportation and Development certifying that the vehicle meets the requirements of this Section.
Acts 2019, No. 232, §1.