New Jersey is developing regulations for self-driving cars through proposed pilot programs but has not yet fully implemented widespread operations, while drone rules largely follow federal FAA guidelines with added local and temporary restrictions.
Self-Driving Cars
New Jersey’s Senate Bill S1677, pre-filed for the 2026 session, proposes a three-year pilot program managed by the Motor Vehicle Commission and Department of Transportation to test fully autonomous vehicles (level 4 or 5 automation) in closed and open-road testbeds. Testers must apply for authorization, provide $5 million in liability coverage, ensure human operators remain ready to intervene, and report collisions within 48 hours; vehicles require safety redundancies, data recording, and cybersecurity measures. The bill, advanced in committee in late 2025, remains pending introduction and could delay commercial deployments like Waymo taxis until after the pilot, with platooning allowed for trucks on designated highways.
Drones
Drone operations in New Jersey adhere to FAA rules, requiring registration for devices over 0.55 lbs, the TRUST test for hobbyists, Remote ID for commercial use, and Part 107 certification for paid pilots. Local ordinances add restrictions, such as Franklin Lakes’ ban on flights below 400 feet over private property without permission, streets, or buildings. Temporary 2025 restrictions prohibited drones near critical infrastructure in parts of New Jersey due to unexplained sightings, with FAA warnings of potential deadly force against threats, though most reports involved authorized or misidentified aircraft.
