Establishes certain requirements relating to the operation of autonomous vehicles

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Renee Reuter

Missouri HB 3034 requires every vehicle on state roads to have a licensed driver present who can actively control the vehicle at all times.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

#motorvehicles #roadsandhighways #scienceandtechnology

Overview

Missouri House Bill 3034 (2026) addresses autonomous vehicles by modifying the existing vehicle operation requirements. The bill repeals current language in section 304.012 and replaces it with a new provision that imposes a driver-in-the-vehicle requirement for all motor vehicles on Missouri roads.

Purpose and Intent

Establish a clear mandate that every motor vehicle operated on Missouri roads must have a human driver present who is licensed and capable of actively controlling the vehicle at all times.

Reinforce traditional driving responsibility and oversight over autonomous technology by ensuring a licensed, actively in control driver is present during operation.

Key Provisions

Repeals current text of Missouri Revised Statutes section 304.012 and enacts a new section with the same numbering for consistency.

New section requirements:

Every motor vehicle operated on the roads and highways of Missouri must have in the vehicle an appropriately endorsed driver who holds a valid driver’s license.
The driver must maintain the ability to actively control the vehicle at all times.

Penalty provision:

Violations are classified as a class B misdemeanor.
If an accident is involved, the violation escalates to a class A misdemeanor.

Who/What Is Affected

All motor vehicles operated on Missouri roads and highways, regardless of autonomous driving capability.

Drivers and vehicle operators must be licensed and able to take immediate manual control when required.

Potential implications for autonomous vehicle deployments, as autonomous operation without a human ready to take control would be noncompliant with the new requirement.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduced: January 20, 2026.

Referred to the Emerging Issues committee (H) on May 15, 2026.

The bill appears to be a relatively straightforward statutory amendment, with immediate effectiveness likely upon enactment, given the criminal misdemeanor penalties for violations.

No explicit compliance deadlines or phased implementation are stated beyond the general requirement that the statute apply to “every motor vehicle operated on the roads and highways.”

Practical Implications

The bill effectively limits autonomous vehicle operation without a supervising licensed driver ready to assume control.

It could impact commercial autonomous operations, ride-sharing AVs, and consumer AVs if the vehicle cannot provide an option for immediate human control when required.

Enforcement would involve standard traffic violation processes, with potential heightened severity if an accident occurs.

Summary

HB 3034 seeks to ensure human oversight by requiring an appropriately licensed driver who can actively control the vehicle to be present in every vehicle on Missouri roads. Violations carry misdemeanor penalties, escalating to a more serious offense if an accident occurs. The measure signals a cautious stance toward autonomous vehicle operation, prioritizing human readiness to intervene.