Autonomous vehicle testing and operation is allowed on Texas roads "as long as they meet the same safety and insurance requirements as every other vehicle on the road," said Adam Hammons, a spokesperson for the state Department of Transportation.
Austin has seen a surge in driverless vehicles on its streets over the last two years, which has led to resident and government concerns after a series of near-miss incidents involving pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles. In 2023, a group of more than 20 Cruise robotaxis caused a traffic jam near the University of Texas campus, blocking the street as they struggled to navigate around one another.
GM declined to comment.