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Driverless cars are multiplying on Texas roads. Here’s what you should know.

Autonomous vehicles, or AVs, are here. Tribune journalists took a ride in one recently and answer the biggest questions about who’s driving the driverless trend and how the state regulates them.

A Cruise car drives down the street in downtown Austin on Sept. 26, 2023. Cruise, a San Francisco-based autonomous car company, is one of several autonomous driving companies that test vehicles in Austin.

When did driverless vehicles become legal in Texas?

An autonomous Cruise taxi drives through a turn in downtown Austin on Sept. 26, 2023. Cruise, a San Francisco-based autonomous car company, is one of several autonomous driving companies that test vehicles in Austin.

Do AVs need to be licensed in Texas?

How do driverless vehicles work?

What’s it like to ride in an AV?

An autonomous Cruise taxi displays an error message about a collision in downtown Austin on Sept. 26, 2023. No collision actually occurred- after stopping for a few moments, the car began driving again. Cruise, a San Francisco-based autonomous car company, is one of several autonomous driving companies that test vehicles in Austin.
Sensors bedeck an autonomous Cruise taxi in downtown Austin on Sept. 26, 2023. Cruise, a San Francisco-based autonomous car company, is one of several autonomous driving companies that test vehicles in Austin.

Have AVs been involved in accidents?

Autonomous Cruise cars line up to leave the Cruise Depot in downtown Austin on Sept. 26, 2023. Cruise, a San Francisco-based autonomous car company, is one of several autonomous driving companies that test vehicles in Austin.

Who is responsible for an AV accident?

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State government Transportation Department of Public Safety Texas Department Of Transportation