# Title 8 — Carriage

## Chapter 8-12 — Autonomous Vehicles

### § 8-12-01. Definitions.

As used in the chapter:
1. "Autonomous vehicle" means a vehicle equipped with an automated driving system.
2. "Client" means a person requesting service from an on-demand autonomous vehicle
network. The term includes a passenger, a shipper, as defined by section 41-07-02, a
person entitled under the document, as defined by section 41-07-02, or similar
individual or commercial enterprise.
3. "On-demand autonomous vehicle network" means a transportation service network
that uses a software application or other digital means to dispatch or otherwise enable
the prearrangement of transportation with autonomous vehicles for purposes of
transporting persons or goods, including for-hire transportation, transportation for
compensation, and public transportation.
### § 8-12-02. General provisions.

1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person may operate an on-demand
autonomous vehicle network. An on-demand autonomous vehicle network may
provide transportation of persons or goods, including:
a. For-hire transportation;
b. Public transportation; and
c. Transportation for multiple passengers who agree to share the ride.
2. An on-demand autonomous vehicle network may connect passengers to autonomous
vehicles without human drivers in compliance with subsection 3 of section 39-01-01.2
exclusively, or as part of a digital network that also connects passengers to human
drivers who provide transportation services, consistent with applicable law.
3. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter and notwithstanding any other provision of
law, autonomous vehicles and automated driving systems without human drivers are
governed by subsection 3 of section 39-01-01.2.
a. A state agency or political subdivision may not impose requirements, including
performance standards specific to the operation of an autonomous vehicle or
automated driving systems without human drivers in compliance with
subsection 3 of section 39-01-01.2.
b. A state or local agency or political subdivision may not impose a tax, fee, or other
requirement specific to the operation of an autonomous vehicle that is in
compliance with subsection 3 of section 39-01-01.2, an automated driving
system, or an on-demand vehicle network. This prohibition does not affect vehicle
registration and titling fees otherwise required by law.
4. This chapter may not be construed to modify, limit, or restrict any statutory provision
affecting liability, including chapter 26.1-40, 26.1-41, 28-01.3, 32-03.2, or 39-16.1.
