(1) Notwithstanding any other law, a licensed human operator is not required to operate a fully autonomous vehicle as defined in s. 316.003(3).

(2) A fully autonomous vehicle may operate in this state regardless of whether a human operator is physically present in the vehicle.

(3)(a) For purposes of this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the automated driving system, when engaged, shall be deemed to be the operator of an autonomous vehicle, regardless of whether a person is physically present in the vehicle while the vehicle is operating with the automated driving system engaged.

(b) Unless otherwise provided by law, applicable traffic or motor vehicle laws of this state may not be construed to:

1. Prohibit the automated driving system from being deemed the operator of an autonomous vehicle operating with the automated driving system engaged.

2. Require a licensed human operator to operate a fully autonomous vehicle.

(4) An on-demand autonomous vehicle network shall operate pursuant to state laws governing the operation of transportation network companies and transportation network company vehicles as defined in s. 627.748, except that any provision of s. 627.748 that reasonably applies only to a human driver does not apply to the operation of a fully autonomous vehicle with the automated driving system engaged while logged on to an on-demand autonomous vehicle network. A fully autonomous vehicle with the automated driving system engaged while logged on to an on-demand autonomous vehicle network must meet the insurance requirements in s. 627.749.

(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an autonomous vehicle or a fully autonomous vehicle equipped with a teleoperation system may operate without a human operator physically present in the vehicle when the teleoperation system is engaged. A vehicle that is subject to this subsection must meet the requirements of s. 319.145 and is considered a vehicle that meets the definition provided in s. 316.003(3)(c) for the purposes of ss. 316.062(5), 316.063(4), 316.065(5), 316.1975(3), and 316.303(1).

(6) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide for uniformity of laws governing autonomous vehicles throughout the state. A local government may not impose any tax, fee, for-hire vehicle requirement, or other requirement on automated driving systems or autonomous vehicles or on a person who operates an autonomous vehicle, including, but not limited to, a person who operates an autonomous vehicle for purposes of providing passenger transportation services. This subsection does not prohibit an airport or a seaport from charging reasonable fees consistent with any fees charged to companies that provide similar services at that airport or seaport for their use of the airport’s or seaport’s facilities, nor does it prohibit the airport or seaport from designating locations for staging, pickup, or other similar operations at the airport or seaport.

History.—s. 3, ch. 2012-111; s. 107, ch. 2012-174; s. 7, ch. 2016-181; s. 12, ch. 2016-239; s. 8, ch. 2019-101.