Google pushes for self-driving cars, but California's DMV needs to ensure safety first

A Google self-driving car is displayed at the Google headquarters on September 25, 2012 in Mountain View, California. California Gov. Jerry Brown signed State Senate Bill 1298 that allows driverless cars to operate on public roads for testing purposes. The bill also calls for the Department of Motor Vehicles to adopt regulations that govern licensing, bonding, testing and operation of the driverless vehicles before January 2015.

California's DMV has to create precedent-setting driving regulations for operating driverless cars before Google can release their prototypes to the public.

Google is eager to release their self-driving car prototypes into public hands. However, before they can do that, California's Department of Motor Vehicles has to release new rules of the road for driverless vehicles.

For instance, if these vehicles don't require a driver, do people need a license to use them? Or, is it necessary that driverless cars have pedals and a steering wheel? Justin Pritchard, a reporter at the Associated Press, talks with host A Martinez about the developing situation between Google and California's DMV.

To listen to the full interview, click on the blue audio player above.