Scoring Methodology

How we calculate the AV Readiness Score — a 100-point composite score across 6 categories.

Overview

Each state receives an AV Readiness Score from 0 to 100 based on the current regulatory environment for autonomous vehicles. The score measures how ready a state is for AV deployment — not whether AV regulation is "good" or "bad," but how clearly and permissively the state has addressed the key regulatory questions that AV companies need answered before deploying.

States are then assigned a Tier (1–5) based on their score:

Tier 1

Open for Business

80–100

Tier 2

Framework in Place

53–79

Tier 3

Work in Progress

32–52

Tier 4

Early Stage

14–31

Tier 5

Effectively Banned

0–13

Scoring Categories

Enacted AV Legislation

20 pts

Whether the state has passed comprehensive AV legislation that defines autonomous vehicles, establishes operating requirements, and creates a regulatory framework.

Scoring Levels

20 pts: Comprehensive enacted legislation with clear AV definitions, operating rules, and oversight

15 pts: Enacted legislation with some gaps or limited scope

10 pts: Partial legislation (e.g., platooning only, definitions only)

5 pts: Executive order or task force only

0 pts: No action taken

Data Sources

NCSL Autonomous Vehicles Legislative Database • State legislature websites • Governor executive orders

Testing Permissions

15 pts

Whether the state allows AV testing on public roads, and under what conditions (permit required, safety driver required, geographic restrictions).

Scoring Levels

15 pts: Open testing permitted, no special permit required

12 pts: Testing with permit/registration process

8 pts: Limited testing (restricted areas, safety driver required)

4 pts: Pilot programs only

0 pts: No testing framework

Data Sources

State DMV regulations • NCSL database • AV company filings

Commercial Deployment

20 pts

Whether AVs can operate commercially (ride-hail, delivery, freight) and collect fares or fees from the public.

Scoring Levels

20 pts: Full commercial deployment permitted with clear pathway

15 pts: Commercial operations with permit/approval process

10 pts: Limited commercial operations (restricted geography or vehicle types)

5 pts: Pilot commercial programs only

0 pts: No commercial deployment allowed

Data Sources

State PUC/DMV records • AV company operational data • CPUC decisions (CA)

Driverless Operation

20 pts

Whether fully driverless (no safety driver) operation is permitted, which is the key threshold for commercial viability.

Scoring Levels

20 pts: Full driverless operation permitted

15 pts: Driverless with conditions (geographic, time, speed limits)

10 pts: Driverless testing only, not commercial

5 pts: Ambiguous — not explicitly prohibited

0 pts: Safety driver required or driverless explicitly banned

Data Sources

State regulations • DMV permit conditions • AV company operating permits

Insurance & Liability Framework

10 pts

Whether the state has addressed insurance requirements and liability questions specific to AV operations.

Scoring Levels

10 pts: Specific AV insurance requirements with clear liability framework

7 pts: Modified standard auto insurance with some AV provisions

4 pts: Standard auto insurance applies, no AV-specific provisions

2 pts: Under development

0 pts: No framework

Data Sources

State insurance commissioner records • Legislation text • Industry filings

Active AV Operations

15 pts

Whether AV companies are actually operating or testing in the state, which validates the regulatory environment.

Scoring Levels

15 pts: Multiple companies operating commercially

12 pts: At least one company operating commercially

8 pts: Active testing by major AV companies

4 pts: Limited testing or announced plans

0 pts: No known AV operations

Data Sources

AV company press releases • State permit records • Industry reports • News coverage