(a) The department, in coordination with the Department of the California Highway Patrol, may conduct testing of technologies that enable drivers to safely operate motor vehicles with less than 100 feet between each vehicle or combination of vehicles.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 21705 of the Vehicle Code or any other law, motor vehicles participating in testing of those technologies pursuant to subdivision (a) may be operated with less than 100 feet between each vehicle or combination of those vehicles.

(c) The department may only use motor vehicles and streets and highways in testing conducted pursuant to subdivision (a) that the Department of the California Highway Patrol authorizes for those uses.

(d) A person may not operate a motor vehicle participating in testing conducted pursuant to subdivision (a) unless the person holds a valid driver’s license of the appropriate class for the participating vehicle.

(e) (1) The department shall report its findings from the testing conducted pursuant to subdivision (a) to the Legislature on or before July 1, 2017, and shall submit updated reports to the Legislature on or before July 1, 2019, and on or before April 1, 2023. The reports required by this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795.

(2) In addition to reporting its findings from the testing conducted pursuant to subdivision (a), the department shall also include in the updated report to be submitted on or before April 1, 2023, any recommendations of subsequent actions that should be taken with regard to the technologies tested pursuant to this section.

(f) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2024, and as of that date is repealed.

(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 322, Sec. 1. (AB 1671) Effective January 1, 2020. Repealed as of January 1, 2024, by its own provisions.)