The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has taken immediate action to suspend Cruise’s deployment and driverless testing permits, effectively putting an end to the GM self-driving car subsidiary’s robotaxi operations in San Francisco. This decision comes just months after Cruise received the necessary permits to commercialize its operations.
Key Takeaway
The California DMV has suspended Cruise’s robotaxi permits, citing safety concerns and misrepresentation of information. The company must fulfill certain requirements to reinstate the permits. This suspension does not affect Cruise’s permit for testing with a safety driver.
The DMV, which is responsible for regulating autonomous vehicle testing and deployments in the state, has stated that public safety remains its top priority. The department’s autonomous vehicle regulations aim to provide a framework for the safe testing and deployment of self-driving technology on California public roads. Whenever there is an unreasonable risk to public safety, the DMV has the authority to immediately suspend or revoke permits. There is no predetermined timeframe for a suspension.
Background and Steps for Permit Reinstatement
In order to reinstate its suspended permits, Cruise must fulfill several requirements outlined by the DMV. The agency has specified that it will not approve the permits until the company satisfies these conditions to its satisfaction. It is important to note that this suspension does not impact Cruise’s permit for testing with a safety driver.
According to the California DMV, the decision to suspend Cruise’s permits was prompted by two main factors. First, the department concluded that the vehicles were not safe for public operation. Second, Cruise was found to have provided inaccurate information regarding the autonomous vehicle technology within its vehicles. Additionally, the department deemed the conduct of autonomous vehicle testing on public roads by Cruise to pose an unreasonable risk to the public.
This is a developing story, and further details may emerge in the near future.
