Testing of autonomous vehicles (AVs) on California’s public roads has significantly slowed, according to new data released by the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The figures for 2024 show a sharp 50% drop in total autonomous vehicle test miles, with 4.5 million miles logged compared to 9 million in 2023.
The decline is particularly marked in the driverless testing category, which fell by 83%, from 3.26 million miles in 2023 to just 552,895 miles last year. The DMV’s records also show that fewer companies are participating in the testing programs. As of 2024, only 31 companies hold permits for testing with a human safety driver, with just 11 actively conducting testing on public roads. Nine companies have withdrawn from the program.
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The figures are a reflection of a broader trend in the autonomous vehicle industry, which has seen major players like Cruise, owned by General Motors, scale back operations. After logging 2.6 million test miles in 2023, Cruise’s permits were suspended in October that year, and the company has not resumed testing in California. Meanwhile, Waymo has transitioned from testing to focusing on its commercial robotaxi services in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The DMV also released its annual disengagement reports, detailing instances where human drivers were required to take over control due to technology malfunctions or safety concerns. However, the reports have been criticized in the past for inconsistencies in company reporting standards, which make comparisons difficult.
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In a shift from earlier years when as many as 60 companies were testing AVs on California’s roads, the number of new permits has dwindled. Just one new permit was issued for autonomous vehicle testing in 2024, down from two in 2023 and four in 2022. The industry’s move towards consolidation is evident, with major funding rounds such as Wayve’s $1 billion in May and Waymo’s $5.6 billion in November, even as fewer companies actively engage in testing.
Waymo remains at the forefront of autonomous vehicle development, holding both testing and commercial permits. Other companies like AutoX, Nuro, WeRide, and Zoox are approved for driverless testing, with only Mercedes-Benz, Nuro, and Waymo authorized for commercial operations in the state.
