WASHINGTON — Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo unit on Tuesday became the first company to receive a permit from California to test driverless vehicles without a backup driver in the front seat, the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles said.
California said Waymo can use about three dozen test vehicles without drivers behind the wheel in Santa Clara County, part of the greater technology hub of Silicon Valley.
Although self-driving vehicles are designed to obviate the need for a driver, most testing thus far has been with a safety driver behind the wheel who can take over in case of emergency.
About 60 companies have permits in California to test self-driving cars with such a backup driver, including most major automakers and Apple Inc. New regulations adopted by the state allowing companies to test on public roads without a driver with a special permit took effect in April.
As part of winning approval, Waymo must continuously monitor the status of test vehicles and provide two-way communication with passengers, carry at least $5 million in insurance and notify local communities.
Waymo’s permit includes day and night testing on city streets, rural roads and highways with posted speed limits of up to 65 miles per hour. The company said its vehicles can safely handle fog and light rain, and testing in those conditions is allowed.
“California has been working toward this milestone for several years, and we will continue to keep the public’s safety in mind as this technology evolves,” Jean Shiomoto, California’s Department of Motor Vehicles director, said in a statement.
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