Vehicle Laws – Fully Autonomous Vehicles – Human Safety Operators and Reporting Requirements

HB 439 requires a human safety operator to be present in certain fully autonomous vehicles operating on Maryland highways. It mandates manufacturers to submit detailed incident reports to the Motor Vehicle Administration for collisions, unresolved traffic violations, disengagements (when autonomous mode is turned off), and passenger/operator harassment involving these vehicles. Reports must include collision narratives, causes, vehicle performance data, and other specific details. The law takes effect December 1, 2025, and applies to manufacturers of fully autonomous vehicles operating in Maryland.