Autonomous vehicles

Type of vehicles allowed

• Non-CMV: Yes
• CMV: Yes

Automation level allowed: SAE levels 4-5

Testing only: Yes. A pilot program was established for testing fully autonomous vehicles in not more than four municipalities.

Platooning: Yes. A person may operate a platoon on the highways of Connecticut if the person files a plan for the general platoon operations with the Commissioner of Transportation and the plan is approved. In addition:

• Each commercial motor vehicle (CMV) or bus in a platoon must display a mark identifying the vehicle or bus as part of a platoon at all times when engaged in platooning.
• Each person operating a CMV or bus in a platoon must be seated in the driver’s seat of such vehicle or bus and hold a commercial driver’s license of the appropriate class and bearing endorsements for the type of vehicle or bus being driven.
• No person operating a CMV or bus in a platoon may pull or drag another motor vehicle in the platoon.

The term “platoon” means two or three CMVs or buses, excluding school buses, traveling in a unified manner at electronically coordinated speeds at following distances that are closer than would be reasonable and prudent without such coordination.

Full operation: Yes. An autonomous vehicle tester must not test a fully autonomous vehicle in a municipality unless the operator is:

• Physically inside the vehicle;
• Monitoring the operation of the vehicle;
• Capable of taking immediate manual control;
• An employee, independent contractor or other person designated and trained by the tester concerning the capabilities and limitations of the vehicle; and
• A holder of an operator’s license.

The autonomous vehicle tester must:

• Register
• each vehicle to be tested with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles; and
• Submit to the Commissioner proof of liability insurance, self-insurance or a surety bond of at least $5M for damages by reason of bodily injury, death or property damage caused by the vehicle.

The operator and tester must:

• Comply with any provision of the general statutes or any ordinance of a municipality concerning the operation of motor vehicles;
• Comply with standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding fully autonomous vehicles; and
• Satisfy any other requirement necessary to ensure the safe operation of the vehicle.