Regulators Order Uber Self-Driving Cars Off Streets Of San Francisco

Uber autonomous test car

California regulators warned ride-hailing company Uber on Wednesday that it would face legal action if it did not immediately stop giving people in San Francisco rides in self-driving cars — until it receives permission from the state.

Uber started a public pilot program in the morning, and hours later, the California Department of Motor Vehicles sent a letter saying that the service was illegal until Uber got a permit required for putting “autonomous vehicles" on public roads.

Uber knew about the permit requirement but argued that its cars do not meet the state’s definition of an “autonomous vehicle" because they require a person behind the wheel to monitor and intervene if needed.

In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, DMV Chief Counsel Brian Soublet wrote that Uber "must cease" deploying the cars or face unspecified legal action.

"If Uber does not confirm immediately that it will stop its launch and seek a testing permit, DMV will initiate legal action," the letter said without elaborating.

Jim Petersen works for Golden Gate Transit, Uber just purchased a garage across the street to store its new automated vehicles. He says they keep parking in an illegal red zone.
“It’s a hazardous situation. If they need more space I think they can afford it," said Petersen. “It’s a bit of a hazard to have them right there where the city is allowing them to park in a red zone when we’re trying to leave with our gigantic buses."

Riders were divided on ordering an automated automobile.

"I don’t think it would make me feel safe," said Topacio Medina of Burlingame.

"I think self-driving cars are the future, so we better get used to it," said San Francisco resident Will Lee.

Uber argues that its cars aren’t really autonomous, and thus aren’t covered by the law. Under the law, an “autonomous vehicle" requires a permit if it can drive itself “without the active physical control or monitoring of a natural person."

According to Anthony Levandowski, the leader of Uber’s self-driving program, Uber’s cars simply aren’t advanced enough to drive themselves without human monitoring. “We’re just not capable of doing that yet," he said. Therefore, the Volvos are not autonomous and do not require a permit.

It makes no sense to get a permit when one is not needed, Levandowski said: “This is where science and logic needs to trump blind compliance."

In a statement issued late Tuesday, the DMV said it “encourages the responsible exploration of self-driving cars" and noted that 20 companies have permits to test hundreds of cars in California.

“Uber shall do the same," the statement said. CBS SF/AP