(The Center Square) – Virginia is moving closer to setting rules for commercial self-driving vehicles after a work group wrapped up its final meeting Friday.

Members of the Autonomous Driving Work Group agreed to move forward with draft legislation for the 2027 General Assembly session after two years and two administrations.

The group has been looking at how self-driving vehicles could operate in Virginia and what rules would be needed before companies move beyond testing.

Virginia does not have a specific statewide framework governing autonomous vehicle testing, permitting or deployment, leaving questions of oversight, insurance and law-enforcement interaction unresolved.

Members focused largely on level 4 vehicles, which can operate without a human driver under certain conditions. They also backed limiting the initial framework to commercial use, requiring a pilot period before wider deployment and putting the Department of Motor Vehicles in charge of permits.

Companies would have to complete that pilot period before moving into full autonomous operation, with DMV deciding whether each operator met the required safety standards.

Members also supported requiring companies to provide safety information, first-responder interaction plans and details on where the vehicles could operate, including limits tied to location, roads, weather or other conditions.

Some questions remain unresolved.

The group debated how safe a self-driving vehicle should have to prove it is before moving beyond the pilot stage. Rather than setting a fixed crash-rate target, members favored giving DMV room to decide whether each company had safely completed its pilot based on its operating conditions, miles driven and vehicle type.

Taxes, fees and worker protections also drew debate.

A workforce study presented Friday found that driver displacement and lost income were the biggest labor concerns raised by transportation workers and other stakeholders.

The study also pointed to possible benefits, including new jobs tied to autonomous vehicles, help with driver shortages and expanded transportation options.

The work group was created by legislation passed in 2025. Lawmakers expanded its work this year to include the possible effects on jobs.

Its final report, including any recommended draft legislation, is due to the General Assembly by Nov. 1.

This post was originally published on The Center Square.