Georgia actively regulates self-driving cars through permissive laws enacted in 2017, allowing fully autonomous vehicles on public roads without a human driver present. Drones face more restrictions, primarily under federal FAA oversight with state additions for privacy and operations near critical infrastructure. No comprehensive 2025 updates overhaul these frameworks, though pilot programs expand in Atlanta.​
Self-Driving Car Rules
Georgia’s Senate Bill 219 defines fully autonomous vehicles as those capable of all driving tasks without human intervention, requiring a “minimal risk condition” to safely stop if issues arise. Operators need no driver’s license when the automated system is engaged, and vehicles must meet standard registration and insurance rules—elevated temporarily until 2020 but now aligned with regular limits. House Bill 472 exempts platooning vehicles from close-following prohibitions, supporting tech deployment.​
Drone Regulations
Drones in Georgia follow FAA rules for registration, airspace limits, and remote ID, with state laws prohibiting flights over prisons, military bases, or critical infrastructure without permission. The Georgia Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act bans weaponized drones and restricts privacy-invasive operations like surveillance without consent. Local ordinances in cities like Atlanta add no-fly zones around airports and events.​
Recent Developments
Atlanta hosts self-driving pilots by Waymo and Uber in 2025, operating in geofenced areas amid ongoing liability debates where manufacturers often bear fault for Levels 4-5 crashes. Drone use grows for inspections and deliveries but faces enforcement for reckless flights. Georgia promotes innovation without heavy mandates, contrasting stricter states.
SOURCES
[1](https://speightslaw.com/blog/self-driving-cars-legal-in-georgia/)
[2](https://www.spauldinginjurylaw.com/blogs/5758/safety-insights-self-driving-cars-coming-to-atlanta-in-2025)
[3](https://georgiacarlaws.com/autonomous-vehicle-laws/)
[4](https://www.hoff-law.com/blog/what-are-georgias-liability-laws-for-self-driving-car-accidents/)
[5](https://weinsteinwin.com/liability-in-autonomous-car-accidents-in-georgia/)
