Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:400.7 – A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a commercial motor vehicle equipped with a teleoperation system may operate in this state without a conventional driver
Terms Used In Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:400.7
- 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
- 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
- Owner: means a person who holds a legal title to a vehicle or in the event a vehicle is the subject of an agreement for the conditional sale, lease, or transfer of possession thereof with the right of purchase upon the performance of the conditions stated in the agreement, with the right of immediate possession in the vendee, lessee, possessor, or in the event such similar transaction is had by means of mortgage and the mortgagor of a vehicle is entitled to possession, then the conditional vendee, lessee, possessor, or mortgagor shall be deemed the owner for the purposes of this Chapter. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1
- Railroad: means a carrier of persons or property upon cars, other than streetcars, operated upon stationary rails. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1
- Remote driver: means a natural person who is not seated in an autonomous commercial motor vehicle, but is able to perform the entire dynamic driving task. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:400.1
- Stop: means , when required, the complete cessation from movement. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1
- Teleoperation system: means hardware and software installed on a motor vehicle that allow a remote driver to operate the vehicle. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:400.1
- 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, a commercial motor vehicle equipped with a teleoperation system may operate in this state without a conventional driver physically present in the vehicle if a remote driver is operating the vehicle and the commercial motor vehicle meets all of the following criteria:
(1) Is properly registered.
(2) Is in compliance with applicable federal law.
(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 being operated in compliance with the applicable traffic and motor vehicle laws of this state, regardless of whether the vehicle is operated by a remote driver including but not limited to applicable laws concerning the capability to safely navigate and negotiate railroad crossings.
(5) Is covered by motor vehicle liability coverage in an amount not less than two million dollars.
(6) Is capable of achieving a reasonably safe state, such as bringing the vehicle to a stop if a failure of the teleoperation system occurs that renders the remote driver unable to perform the entire dynamic driving task for the vehicle.
B. Prior to commencing the operation of a commercial motor vehicle equipped with a teleoperation system without a conventional driver present in the cab, an owner, a remote driver, or the remote driver’s employer 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.