FL H0311: Fully autonomous vehicle rules

In one paragraph

Florida's HB 311 lets fully autonomous vehicles operate in Florida whether or not a human operator is in the vehicle, needing no licensed human operator, and deems the automated driving system the operator when engaged. Fully autonomous vehicles must be able to reach a minimal risk condition if the system fails. On-demand autonomous vehicle networks follow transportation network company law, with $1 million primary liability, PIP and uninsured motorist coverage while logged on. Local governments may not impose taxes, fees or other requirements on autonomous vehicles. Approved June 13, 2019 (Chapter 2019-101); effective July 1, 2019.

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

What it means for business

Companies may run fully autonomous vehicles in Florida without a human operator if the vehicles meet the s. 319.145 requirements; autonomous ride networks must carry at least $1 million primary liability coverage while vehicles are logged on.

Key provisions

1. 1A licensed human operator is not required to operate a fully autonomous vehicle, which may operate whether or not a human operator is physically present; the automated driving system, when engaged, is deemed the operator (s. 316.85)
2. 2An autonomous vehicle with a teleoperation system may operate without a human operator physically present while the teleoperation system is engaged; a remote human operator must be physically present in the United States and licensed by a U.S. jurisdiction (ss. 316.003, 316.85(5))
3. 3Fully autonomous vehicles must be able to reach a minimal risk condition if the automated driving system fails; others must alert the operator to take control or reach a minimal risk condition (s. 319.145)
4. 4Duties to give information and render aid and to report crashes do not apply to a fully autonomous vehicle with the system engaged if the owner promptly reports the crash to law enforcement or the vehicle can alert law enforcement; driver licensing law (ch. 322) does not apply without a human operator
5. 5On-demand autonomous vehicle networks operate under transportation network company law; while logged on or on a prearranged ride, at least $1 million primary liability coverage plus PIP and uninsured motorist coverage (ss. 316.85(4), 627.749)
6. 6A separate $1 million financial-responsibility requirement for other fully autonomous vehicles (s. 627.749(3)) was set by the act to be repealed January 1, 2024
7. 7Local governments may not impose taxes, fees or other requirements on autonomous vehicles or their operators (airports and seaports may charge reasonable fees); the Florida Turnpike Enterprise may fund and operate facilities for autonomous and connected vehicle technology
8. 8Approved by the Governor June 13, 2019 (Chapter No. 2019-101); effective July 1, 2019

Who must comply, and what it requires

Read from the official text by AI Laws by State and last checked Nov 15, 2026. Each entry links to the section it comes from. Information, not legal advice.

Who it covers

• Owner or registrant of an autonomous vehicle. The owner of an autonomous vehicle registered in Florida, meaning any vehicle equipped with an automated driving system. No size threshold in the text. Fla. Stat. 319.145(1); 316.003(3)(a)
• On-demand autonomous vehicle network. A passenger transportation network that uses an app or other digital means to connect passengers to fully autonomous vehicles. No size threshold in the text. Fla. Stat. 316.003 (on-demand autonomous vehicle network); 316.85(4)
• Owner of a fully autonomous vehicle. The owner of a vehicle with an automated driving system designed to operate without a human operator, when the system is engaged. No size threshold in the text. Fla. Stat. 316.003(3)(c); 316.062(5)

What it requires

• Owner or registrant of an autonomous vehicle. Keep the vehicle compliant with federal certification and labeling rules where required, and capable of obeying Florida traffic laws whether or not the system is engaged. An autonomous vehicle registered in Florida. Fla. Stat. 319.145(1)(a), (b) Jul 1, 2019
• Owner or registrant of an autonomous vehicle. Equip a vehicle that is not fully autonomous with a system that alerts the human operator to a system failure, then hands over control or reaches a minimal risk condition. A registered autonomous vehicle that is not fully autonomous, with a licensed human operator physically present. Fla. Stat. 319.145(2) Jul 1, 2019
• Owner or registrant of an autonomous vehicle. Ensure a fully autonomous vehicle can reach a minimal risk condition if a system failure stops it performing the entire driving task within its operational design domain. A registered fully autonomous vehicle. Fla. Stat. 319.145(3) Jul 1, 2019
• On-demand autonomous vehicle network. Keep each fully autonomous vehicle insured for at least $1 million primary liability, plus personal injury protection and uninsured motorist coverage, while logged on or on a prearranged ride. The automated driving system is engaged. The owner's policy, the network's policy, or both may provide the coverage. Fla. Stat. 627.749(2)(a), (b); 316.85(4) Jul 1, 2019
• On-demand autonomous vehicle network. Operate under Florida's transportation network company law (s. 627.748), apart from provisions that reasonably apply only to a human driver. A network connecting passengers to fully autonomous vehicles with the system engaged while logged on. Fla. Stat. 316.85(4) Jul 1, 2019
• Owner of a fully autonomous vehicle. After a crash with the system engaged, promptly report it to law enforcement, unless the vehicle itself can alert law enforcement, to be excused from the driver crash duties. A fully autonomous vehicle with the automated driving system engaged is involved in a crash. Fla. Stat. 316.062(5); 316.063(4); 316.065(5) When triggered

Enforcement

Who enforces

The law does not name one

Can individuals sue?

The law does not say
ch. 2019-101 (enrolled text)

Time to fix a violation

The law does not say

The law sets no penalty amount of its own.

Exemptions and limits

• Federal NHTSA regulations control where they conflict with s. 319.145. Fla. Stat. 319.145(4)
• Driver licensing (chapter 322) does not apply to a fully autonomous vehicle operated with the system engaged and no human operator. Fla. Stat. 322.015
• Local governments may not impose taxes, fees, for-hire requirements or other requirements on automated driving systems, autonomous vehicles or their operators; airports and seaports may charge reasonable comparable fees and set pickup areas. Fla. Stat. 316.85(6)

Dates in the text

• Jul 1, 2019. The act takes effect. ch. 2019-101, s. 18; Florida Senate bill page

Citation: CS/HB 311 (2019); ch. 2019-101, Laws of Florida, approved June 13, 2019; Fla. Stat. 316.003(3), 316.062(5), 316.063(4), 316.065(5), 316.85, 319.145, 322.015, 627.749. Official text. Spot an error? Tell us.

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Latest legislative action

Jun 13, 2019. Approved by Governor; Chapter No. 2019-101

Sponsors

Roll call votes

Amendments (3)

• House Committee Amendment #591109 Not adopted 2019-04-03
• House Committee Amendment #388223 to Amendment (591109) Not adopted 2019-04-03
• House Floor Strike All Amendment #483839 Not adopted 2019-04-19