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AR HB1562: To amend the law concerning autonomous vehicles

Enacted Arkansas · 2021 session

Last verified Oct 12, 2026 · official bill text

HB1562 · where it stands

4 of 5 steps complete
  1. Introduced Complete
  2. Passed first chamber Complete
  3. Passed both chambers Complete
  4. Enacted Complete
  5. Effective Date not recorded
What do these statuses mean?
Introduced
Filed in the legislature; may be waiting for a committee hearing.
Passed a chamber
Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action.
Enacted
Signed into law, or became law without a signature or over a veto.
Effective date
The date the law says it takes effect. Once it has passed, the page shows "Effective" and the date. A court order can still block a law; if we know of one, the summary says so.
Dead / vetoed
Vetoed, failed, or the session ended without action.

In one paragraph

Arkansas's HB 1562 (Act 619 of 2021) updates the state's autonomous vehicle law. Autonomous and fully autonomous vehicles operate under State Highway Commission pilot programs, which must show the vehicles obey traffic laws, including at railroad crossings unless exempted, reach a minimal risk condition if the automated driving system fails, meet federal safety standards, and that a remote operator can meet crash duties. On-demand driverless capable vehicle networks may carry passengers or goods. Human and remote operators need valid driver's licenses, local governments may not add AV requirements or taxes, and the original maker of a vehicle a third party converts into an AV is not liable.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

AV developers and robotaxi or delivery networks can operate statewide in Arkansas without local AV rules; aftermarket conversions shift liability away from original manufacturers.

Key provisions

  1. Defines human operator, remote operator and on-demand driverless capable vehicle network (Ark. Code 27-51-2001)
  2. 27-51-2002: pilot programs must show traffic-law compliance (including railroad crossings unless exempted), a minimal risk condition on system failure, federal motor vehicle safety standards and remote-operator crash compliance; vehicles must be registered and titled
  3. 27-51-2003: a person may operate an on-demand driverless capable vehicle network connecting passengers or goods to fully autonomous vehicles
  4. 27-51-2004: human operators and remote operators of fully autonomous vehicles must hold a valid driver's license for the vehicle class
  5. 27-51-2005: the State Highway Commission implements the law; local entities may not impose additional safety requirements or taxes on autonomous vehicles
  6. 27-51-2006: liability follows state or federal law, but the original manufacturer of a vehicle converted into an autonomous vehicle by a third party is not liable

Latest legislative action

Apr 8, 2021. Approved by the Governor; Act 619

Topics and industries

Related topics

Autonomous VehiclesAI Liability

Affected industries

TransportationTechnology

This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error

Related AI laws in Arkansas

All Arkansas bills →
HB1767 To allow the operation of a personal delivery device in pedestrian areas and cer HB1822 Concerning the operation of autonomous vehicles at railroad crossings HB1561 To authorize the operation of autonomous vehicles or fully autonomous vehicles o SB612 TO CREATE A PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION AGAINST A SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM THAT CAUSES HB 1529 TO CREATE THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF UNLAWFUL CREATION OR DISTRIBUTION OF DEEPFAKE HB1877 AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CRIMINAL OFFENSES RELATED TO POSSESSION OF SE

Same topic in other states

Utah SB0292 Autonomous Systems Amendments Illinois HB1839 Safe Autonomous Vehicle Act Texas HB3837 Relating to the regulation of autonomous vehicles; creating a criminal offense. Oregon HB4085 Relating to autonomous vehicles. Indiana HB1072 Personal delivery devices New Hampshire HB143 Criminalizing and creating a private right of action for the facilitation, encou