NEW LEGISLATION THREATENS TO STALL NEW JERSEY’S DRIVERLESS CAR DREAM.
TRENTON — The Garden State’s long-promised leap into the world of autonomous driving just ran into a political traffic jam — and the backup could last years.
A new piece of legislation, introduced with the stated goal of “safely regulating” self-driving vehicles, is being blasted by industry leaders as one of the most restrictive frameworks in the country. They warn it could effectively freeze driverless technology in New Jersey before it ever reaches the public.
Officials framed the proposal as a cautious step toward innovation. But critics see it differently: a velvet-wrapped roadblock dressed up as progress.
THE BILL: AUTONOMOUS… BUT NEVER ALONE
The bill would technically allow autonomous vehicles to operate in the state — but only under a tightly controlled pilot program. And here’s the deal-breaker: every self-driving car must still have a human operator sitting behind the wheel, ready to take over at any second.
For AV companies, that requirement isn’t just inconvenient — it’s lethal to the business model. Fully driverless fleets rely on the absence of labor. Put a person in the driver’s seat and you might as well be running a taxi service with extra software.
And that’s just the beginning. The legislation also demands:
- Massive liability coverage — running into the millions
- Continuous reporting and data logging
- Strict state registration for every autonomous unit
- Compliance with cybersecurity and manual-override standards
- Immediate reporting of even minor collisions
In other words: AV companies can operate here… but under rules that make operating here nearly pointless.
INDUSTRY RESPONSE: “NEW JERSEY JUST TOOK ITSELF OFF THE MAP”
It didn’t take long for the tech world to react.
Several major autonomous-vehicle companies — including firms already testing in other parts of the country — say New Jersey’s bill could push their plans back three to five years, if not longer. Some have privately suggested they may abandon New Jersey altogether and focus on states with clearer pathways to deployment
“You can’t call something driverless if the law forces a driver to sit in it. This bill basically says: ‘come here, but don’t actually operate.’”
Waymo, Cruise, and other AV giants have spent years mapping New Jersey roads, running simulations, and preparing launch scenarios. But with these new restrictions, insiders say the state could fall behind the national curve quickly.
LAWMAKERS SAY: NOT SO FAST
Supporters of the bill insist the legislation isn’t anti-tech — it’s anti-chaos.
They argue that autonomous driving is still evolving, pointing to crashes, software failures, and high-profile testing mishaps in other states. New Jersey, they say, shouldn’t become a “testing ground” without strong oversight.
In their view, requiring a human backup operator is common sense, not sabotage.
But opponents believe lawmakers are reacting to viral headlines, not real data. They say AVs have the potential to reduce crashes, improve mobility for seniors and people with disabilities, and unclog traffic — if they’re allowed to operate without suffocating regulation
PUBLIC OPINION: MIXED, BUT CURIOUS
Residents aren’t uniform on this issue either.
Some are intrigued by the idea of safer, computer-guided cars replacing distracted humans behind the wheel. Others are skeptical, saying they don’t want to share the road with “robots on wheels” just yet.
And then there are the practical concerns:
What happens when a driverless car malfunctions in the middle of the Turnpike?
Who pays when the software makes a bad call?
How will police enforce traffic laws on a vehicle with no driver?
The bill doesn’t fully answer those questions — and that’s part of the tension.