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Prohibits States from issuing motor vehicle operator licenses for driverless Level 4 or Level 5 automated driving system (ADS) vehicles in a way that discriminates against qualified individuals with disabilities, applying ADA Title II nondiscrimination obligations to those licensing practices. Sets definitions for key terms used in the law, adopts SAE terminology for ADS levels and driverless operation, and directs the Secretary of Transportation to arrange for a National Academies study on changes to public transportation infrastructure and design to improve how people with disabilities find, access, and use ride‑hail ADS-equipped vehicles. Authorizes $5,000,000 to carry out the study, with funds available until expended.
The bill clarifies definitions and funds study and guidance to expand driverless ride‑hail and improve ADA coverage — potentially increasing mobility and regulatory certainty — but it relies on studies and limited funding, leaving accessibility implementation, costs, administrative burdens, and job impacts as prominent trade‑offs.
People with disabilities (and seniors): clearer federal protections and guidance — the bill adopts ADA/SAE definitions, protects access to ADS vehicle licensing, and directs research-backed recommendations to improve locating, boarding, and exiting ADS ride‑hail vehicles.
Urban and rural riders: creates a clear legal definition for driverless ride‑hail vehicles and gives localities options (dynamic curb management, dedicated pickup/dropoff zones, curb extensions) that can facilitate deployment and increase transportation choices.
State and federal regulators and industry: adoption of SAE J3016 and related terminology provides regulatory clarity and a shared technical language, reducing compliance uncertainty for operators and agencies.
Ride‑hail drivers and related transportation workers: enabling driverless dispatched vehicles could reduce demand for human drivers and threaten jobs where autonomous services expand.
People with disabilities and low-income riders: adopting definitions and commissioning studies without binding accessibility requirements risks a gap between legal coverage and real-world accessible vehicles/platforms, and the focus on ADS may leave non-ADS or lower-income users behind.
Public transit systems and urban communities: expansion of driverless ride‑hail services could draw riders away from public transit, reducing fare revenue and potentially harming transit service levels.
Introduced July 15, 2025 by Greg Stanton · Last progress July 15, 2025