Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Committee and Regulations

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) established the Fully AV Committee to consider matters relevant to AV technology, review state motor vehicle laws, and make recommendations concerning vehicle testing, traffic rules and ordinances, and modifications of state laws. For more information, see the AVs Roadmap for NC website.

Fully AV is defined as a vehicle equipped with an automated driving system that will not require an occupant to operate the real-time and tactical control functions of the vehicle at any time.

The operator of a fully AV is not required to be licensed to operate a motor vehicle. A person may operate a fully autonomous vehicle if the vehicle:

• Is capable of being operated in compliance with Articles 3, 3A, 7, 11 and 13 of North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 20;
• Complies with applicable federal laws and regulations; and
• Is certified in accordance with Title 49 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Section 567.

(Reference North Carolina General Statutes 20-400 through 20-403)