Québec Amends Highway Safety Code To Include Provisions Governing Autonomous Vehicles

On April 18, 2018, the Parliament of Québec adopted Bill No. 165, a reform of the Québec Highway Safety Code ("HSC"). As we have previously noted, these amendments affect several aspects of automobile use, including penalties related to impaired driving, driver's licences, winter tires, and the use of hand-held electronic devices. While there is growing pressure to regulate autonomous vehicles in various jurisdictions, the concept of "autonomous vehicle" ("AV") now appears for the first time in a Québec statute.

Lawmakers chose to rely on the driving automation levels determined by SAE International (formerly known as the Society of Automotive Engineers). Vehicles are considered AVs under the HSC if they are equipped with a level 3, 4 or 5 automation system. Level 3 AVs sold in Canada may be put in operation, whereas for higher levels of automation, the Government of Québec chose to proceed carefully with pilot projects. This is a departure from