Manufacturers of “autonomous vehicle technology,” or entities creating such technology working in conjunction with manufacturers can apply to test or demonstrate autonomous vehicles on New York roadways.

Vehicles listed on your application must

• comply with all federal standards and applicable New York State inspection standards
• have a $5 million insurance policy

Your autonomous vehicles must have a licensed driver behind the wheel

• A person holding a valid driver license must be in the driver’s seat while a vehicle is operated on public highways. That person must be prepared to take control when required to in order to operate the vehicle safely and lawfully.
• Every test vehicle operator must be adequately trained in the safe operation of the test vehicle to ensure both legal and safe operation.

Complete Autonomous Vehicle Technology Demonstration/Testing Application(AV-1) & Autonomous Vehicle Technology Demonstration/Testing Addendum (AV-2). 

You must include a law enforcement interaction plan. You must also agree to submit your report on demonstrations or tests, undertaken pursuant to a DMV permit, to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles no later than March 1, 2026. The law permitting the demonstrations or tests is set to expire on April 1, 2026.

ONLY applications containing completed forms AV-1 and AV-2 along with proof of insurance and a law enforcement interaction plan will be accepted.