Kentucky regulators have authorized autonomous vehicles on its roads with House Bill 7, despite being vetoed by the governor due to safety concerns. The bill was overridden by the legislature and went into effect, providing a framework for driverless vehicles including cars and trucks.

It mandates a USD 1 million insurance requirement for autonomous vehicle owners and human backup drivers for heavy-duty trucks until 2026. The bill also allows for autonomous vehicles with specific requirements and safety measures on public highways. AV operators must meet specific regulatory requirements before deploying vehicles without safety drivers.

Kentucky is now one of 25 states that have authorized the testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles.

Analyst QuickTake: The governor first vetoed the bill in April 2024, citing concerns over safety and the need for a testing period with human supervision. However, the developments today reflect ongoing debates over the readiness and safety of autonomous vehicle technology, with states like Florida and California also adopting similar legislation to legalize the technology in their respective states.