1. Reclassify Complex Surface-Street Automation Under State Law: Amend the Code of Virginia to stipulate that any motor vehicle feature capable of steering, accelerating, braking, and navigating surface intersections without planned human intervention must meet the testing, licensing, and insurance standards of Automated Driving Systems (ADS), regardless of how an automaker markets or self-certifies the system.
2. Prohibit Deceptive and Misleading ADAS Terminology: Enact consumer protection statutes—similar to California SB 1398—that prohibit automakers and dealers from naming, advertising, or selling Level 2 partial driving automation using terms such as "Full Self-Driving," "Autopilot," or "Autonomous" when driver supervision is mandatory.
3. Mandate Non-Defeatable Driver-Monitoring Standards: Establish strict operational requirements making it unlawful to engage hands-free or semi-autonomous steering unless the vehicle is equipped with active, camera-based, eye-tracking driver-monitoring systems that promptly disengage the software when attention lapses.
4. Require Direct State Crash and Incident Reporting: Mandate that automakers deploying Level 2 and Level 3 automated driving features within Virginia furnish real-time, unfiltered incident data to the Virginia State Police and DMV whenever a collision occurs while automated software is active.

The petition for rulemaking will be published in the Virginia Register of Regulations on November 2, 2026, and on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall. Public comment will open on November 2, 2026, and will close on November 23, 2026. DMV will consider the petition and all comments in support or opposition after the close of the public comment period. The agency will issue a written decision within 90 days following the close of the comment period.