GA HB1009: Motor vehicles; use of personal delivery devices to transport cargo; authorize

In one paragraph

Georgia's HB 1009 (Act 814 of 2022) authorizes delivery robots. A personal delivery device is a powered vehicle that uses an automated driving system to transport cargo, carries no passengers and weighs at most 500 pounds empty or 600 pounds loaded. Devices may operate on sidewalks and on highways with lower speed limits, must yield to pedestrians, meet equipment rules and may not carry hazardous materials. An individual able to control navigation and operation must monitor each device while it operates, and operators need at least $250,000 of liability insurance. Local governments may limit operations, and violations carry civil penalties.

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What it means for business

Delivery-robot companies may operate in Georgia if each device is remotely monitored, insured for at least $250,000 and follows sidewalk and road rules; cities can limit where and when they run.

Key provisions

1. 1O.C.G.A. 40-1-1: 'personal delivery device' means a powered vehicle that utilizes an automated driving system to transport cargo, is not designed for passengers, and weighs at most 500 lbs unladen or 600 lbs with cargo
2. 2Devices may use sidewalks and certain highways, must yield to pedestrians and follow speed, parking and equipment rules (40-6-320 to 40-6-325)
3. 340-6-327: a device must be monitored by an individual capable of exercising control over its navigation and operation whenever it operates on highways or sidewalks
4. 4Operators must carry general liability insurance of at least $250,000
5. 5Hazardous materials are prohibited; local authorities may restrict operations; violations carry civil penalties (40-6-324, 40-6-329 to 40-6-329.2)

Latest legislative action

May 2, 2022. Signed by Governor; Act 814