§ 321.515 — Operation

Iowa § 321.515

• Jurisdiction: Iowa
• Title VIII: TRANSPORTATION
• Ch. 321: MOTOR VEHICLES AND LAW OF THE ROAD

Text

1. A driverless-capable vehicle may operate on the public highways of this state without
a conventional human driver physically present in the vehicle, if the vehicle meets all of the
following conditions:
a. The vehicle is capable of achieving a minimal risk condition if a malfunction of the
automated driving system occurs that renders the system unable to perform the entire
dynamic driving task within the system’s intended operational design domain, if any.
b. While in driverless operation, the vehicle is capable of operating in compliance with
the applicable traffic and motor vehicle safety laws and regulations of this state that govern
the performance of the dynamic driving task, unless an exemption has been granted to the
vehicle by the department.
c. The vehicle has been certified by the vehicle’s manufacturer to be in compliance with
all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards, except to the extent an exemption has
been granted for the vehicle under applicable federal law or by the national highway traffic
safety administration.
2. a. The operation of a system-equipped vehicle capable of performing the entire
dynamic driving task within the automated driving system’s operational design domain on
the public highways of this state while a conventional human driver is present in the vehicle

shall be lawful. During such operation, the conventional human driver shall possess a valid
driver’s license pursuant to section 321.174 and shall be subject to the financial liability
coverage requirements and penalties set forth under section 321.20B. The conventional
human driver shall operate the system-equipped vehicle according to the manufacturer’s
requirements and specifications, and shall regain manual control of the vehicle when
prompted by the automated driving system.
b. An automated driving system, while engaged, shall be designed to operate within the
system’s operational design domain in compliance with the applicable traffic and motor
vehicle safety laws and regulations of this state that govern the performance of the dynamic
driving task, unless an exemption has been granted to the vehicle by the department.
3. Except as provided in this section, the motor vehicle laws of this state shall not be
construed to require a conventional human driver to operate a driverless-capable vehicle that
is being operated by an automated driving system. The automated driving system, while
engaged, shall be deemed to fulfill any physical acts required of a conventional human driver
to perform the dynamic driving task.