Enacts the "take the wheel act" which requires a driver be present in all motor vehicles operated for hire
Summary
A10087, titled the "Take the Wheel Act," amends New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Law to require that any motor vehicle operated for hire on public highways have a human driver physically present in the vehicle. The bill specifically targets vehicles operated by an automated driving system and would prohibit their use for hire unless a driver is seated behind the steering wheel and actively engaged in driving.
The bill also retains existing safety requirements for for-hire vehicles by continuing the rule that passenger compartment doors must be readily openable from the inside. The measure takes effect immediately upon enactment, meaning the new driver-presence requirement would apply as soon as the bill becomes law.
Impact
The bill would change subdivision 23 of section 375 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding a new restriction on autonomous or driverless for-hire vehicles. It would affect taxis, livery vehicles, ride-hailing services, and any other for-hire motor vehicles operating on public highways in New York, limiting the deployment of automated driving systems in that sector unless a human operator is physically present. The law would create a clear statutory barrier to fully driverless for-hire service in the state.
Sentiment
There is limited recorded legislative discussion or voting history available for this bill, so sentiment cannot be measured from debate or roll call data. Based on the bill’s framing, it appears to reflect a precautionary or restrictive approach toward autonomous vehicles in for-hire transportation, emphasizing human oversight and direct control.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely to be the requirement that a human driver be physically present and actively driving in all for-hire vehicles, which would oppose fully driverless commercial passenger service. Supporters would likely argue the bill improves safety, accountability, and passenger protection, while opponents may argue it restricts innovation, slows autonomous vehicle deployment, and could limit transportation options or economic opportunities in the ride-hail and taxi industries.
Relates to the operation of three-wheeled vehicles; removes requirement that such vehicles have two wheels situated in the front and one wheel in the rear.
Directs the department of motor vehicles to develop a plan to increase the availability of wheelchair accessible vehicles, by county, in New York state outside of the city of New York; defines accessibility; requires a report to identify any existing local guidelines for accessible vehicles; directs development of benchmarks for increasing wheelchair accessible vehicles.
Directs the department of motor vehicles to develop a plan to increase the availability of wheelchair accessible vehicles, by county, in New York state outside of the city of New York; defines accessibility; requires a report to identify any existing local guidelines for accessible vehicles; directs development of benchmarks for increasing wheelchair accessible vehicles.
Prohibits any motor vehicle with a manufacturers' gross vehicle weight rating of ten thousand one pounds or more which utilizes autonomous vehicle technology from being operated on public highways unless a natural person holding a valid license for the operation of the motor vehicle's class is present within such vehicle.
Directs the commissioner of motor vehicles to conduct a study to examine and update the requirements of safety inspections conducted to ensure the operational safety of all motor vehicles; requires a report; makes related provisions.
Directs the commissioner of motor vehicles to conduct a study to examine and update the requirements of safety inspections conducted to ensure the operational safety of all motor vehicles; requires a report; makes related provisions.
Requires all vehicles move over or slow down for parked, stopped and standing vehicles on highways, requiring the inclusion of at least one question regarding such requirement on the state driver's license examination, and requires public education measures on such requirement.