Officials in California proposed new rules on Friday that would let companies test autonomous cars on public roads with no human driver present.
The proposal is a significant update to the state’s self-driving car regulations adopted in 2014, which allow testing on public roads only if a driver is inside the vehicle. With the new rules, companies that want to test cars without human drivers will have to apply for a special permit and meet federal standards defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
To be approved for the permit, companies will also have to obtain…