Relating to the regulation of autonomous vehicles; creating a criminal offense.

HB 3837 requires owners of autonomous vehicles (self-driving cars with Level 4 or 5 automation) to provide a valid state permit number when registering or renewing vehicle registration. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles cannot register such vehicles without verified permit ownership, except for vehicles exempt under existing rules. This bill defines key terms like "autonomous vehicle" and "automated driving system" based on SAE standards, creating clear requirements for vehicle identification and permitting. It directly affects owners of self-driving vehicles and the state’s vehicle registration process, adding verification steps to ensure compliance with autonomous vehicle regulations. The bill is currently pending in committee after committee hearings.