The impasse
between Uber, the ride-hailing company, and the
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), an agency of the State of California,
had apparently been resolved as the DMV revoked the registrations of the cars
involved in Uber’s permitless testing of cars it said were “self-driving” but
in need of monitoring, thereby exempting themselves from the requirement that
autonomous vehicles must have a special permit to operate on California’s
roadways; and Uber agreed to take the cars off the road and apply for the
proper permit, before the ride-sharing company apparently changed its mind and
said it was cancelling the test in California entirely.
First, the
DMV sent out this press release:
“Consistent
with the department’s position that Uber's vehicles are autonomous vehicles,
the DMV has taken action to revoke the registration of 16 vehicles owned by
Uber. It was determined that the registrations were improperly issued for
these vehicles because they were not properly marked as test vehicles.
Concurrently, the department invited Uber to seek a permit so their vehicles
can operate legally in California.
“California’s
testing regulations for autonomous vehicles strikes a balance between
protecting public safety and embracing innovation. These regulations were
adopted two years ago, and they are working for the 20 manufacturers now
testing more than 130 autonomous vehicles on California’s streets and roads.
Uber is welcome to test its autonomous technology in California like everybody
else, through the issuance of a testing permit that can take less than 72 hours
to issue after a completed application is submitted. The department
stands ready to assist Uber in obtaining a permit as expeditiously as possible.”
It also released
copy of the letter that DMV Director Jean Shiomoto sent to Uber earlier today. The letter was addressed to Mr. Davis White
at Uber Technologies, Inc. and read as follows:
Dear Mr.
White:
I understand
you spoke with California State Transportation Agency Secretary Brian Kelly
this morning and informed him that Uber has removed all of its autonomous
vehicles from the public roadways. I
appreciate the action that Uber has taken in the interest of public
safety. I also understand that Uber is
interested in applying for a California autonomous vehicle testing permit.
I want to
reassure you that the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) stands
ready to work with you collaboratively.
The autonomous vehicle testing application process is simple and
straightforward. The application
materials are available on our website
(dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/vehindustry/ol/auton_veh_tester). I have dedicated a team to work with you to
expedite the approval process. You can
reach the Autonomous Vehicles Testing Permit Team at (916) XXX-XXXX if you have
any questions. I will also personally
help to ensure an expedited review and approval process.
The DMV
fully supports the advancement of autonomous technologies. This technology holds the promise of enhanced
safety and mobility, but must be tested responsibly. We are committed to assisting Uber in their
efforts to innovate and advance this ground-breaking technology.
Sincerely,
Jean M.
Shiomoto
Director
cc: Brian P. Kelly, Secretary, California
State Transportation Agency
Bernard C. Soriano, Deputy Director
Brian G. Soublet, Deputy
Director/Chief Counsel
Brian
Soublet wrote the original letter to Uber telling them back on December 14th
that they needed to get a permit before they could test their self-driving cars
in the streets of San Francisco. You can
read that letter here.
Ars Technica
reported four hours ago that Uber would be terminating its self-driving car testing in California,
rather than applying for a permit, as implied in the letter to Mr. Davis.
If true,
this would render moot Director Shiomoto’s offer to give every priority to Uber
in applying for a testing permit.
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