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Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland regulates fully autonomous vehicles, requires $1 million liability insurance, and applies data privacy laws
Last action · February 12, 2026: Hearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m.Sponsors: Sara Love and 6 others
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What This Bill Would Do
Beginning October 1, 2026, Maryland allows fully autonomous vehicles to operate on state highways without a human driver, provided they meet safety, insurance, and first-responder notification standards. The legislation explicitly subjects personal data collected by these vehicles to the state Online Data Privacy Act and prohibits local governments from enacting special taxes or bans.
The measure establishes the legal operating framework for driverless cars in Maryland, setting mandatory insurance floors at $1 million per occurrence and defining liability rules for manufacturers, fleet operators, and ride-hailing services.
- Fully autonomous vehicles rely on advanced hardware and software systems to navigate public roadways without active human intervention. context
- Maryland's Online Data Privacy Act regulates how commercial entities collect, control, and process consumer personal information. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Fully autonomous vehicle manufacturers
Manufacturers must submit first responder plans, ensure compliance with federal safety standards, and maintain $1,000,000 in liability insurance.
Transportation network companies
Ground passenger transportation companies are authorized to use fully autonomous vehicles while remaining subject to safety and equipment regulations.
Individuals with disabilities
All fully autonomous vehicles must be equipped with an accessible user interface enabling independent access to all features.
Local political subdivisions
Local governments are barred from banning autonomous vehicles or imposing local taxes, fees, and operational requirements.
Key Facts
- Fully autonomous vehicles may operate on state highways without a human driver if they can achieve a minimal risk condition upon system failure and comply with vehicle laws.
- Operators or manufacturers must submit a first responder interaction plan to the Motor Vehicle Administration before operating driverless vehicles.
- Autonomous vehicles must maintain proof of financial responsibility of at least $1,000,000 combined single limit per occurrence for third-party liability.
- Personal data collected by fully autonomous vehicles is subjected to the Online Data Privacy Act.
Show all 10 facts
- State agencies and local political subdivisions are prohibited from banning fully autonomous vehicles or imposing special taxes, fees, or unique requirements.
- Transportation network companies and for-hire vehicle companies are permitted to use fully autonomous vehicles.
- Vehicle titles and registrations must explicitly identify fully autonomous vehicles.
- The Motor Vehicle Administration may suspend vehicle registrations or restrict operations if an autonomous vehicle is determined to be in an unsafe mechanical condition.
- The administration must revoke a person's license to sell vehicles directly to consumers if they violate the subtitle.
- Crash reporting and notice requirements under Title 20 must be satisfied within 15 days of an incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
What insurance coverage is required for fully autonomous vehicles?
Can local cities or counties ban autonomous vehicles?
Who is considered the operator of the vehicle when the automated driving system is engaged?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently filed. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Committee.
Procedural history
2 actions- Feb 12, 2026SenateHearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 6, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Judicial Proceedings
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
State Preemption of Local Autonomous Vehicle Rules
The bill strips local governments of the authority to ban autonomous vehicles or levy local taxes and fees, centralizing oversight at the state level.
Mandated Commercial Insurance Floors
Autonomous vehicle operators must secure commercial-grade insurance policies of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence.
Connected Entities
Sources
mgaleg.maryland.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance80How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy50Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz65Current news / social attention level
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