(a)
The department, in coordination with the Department of the California Highway Patrol, may conduct testing of technologies that enable drivers to safely operate motor vehicles with less than 100 feet between each vehicle or combination of vehicles.
(b)
Notwithstanding Section 21705 of the Vehicle Code or any other provision of law, motor vehicles participating in testing of those technologies pursuant to subdivision (a) may be operated with less than 100 feet between each vehicle or combination of those vehicles.
(c)
The department may only use motor vehicles and streets and highways in testing conducted pursuant to subdivision (a) that
the Department of the California Highway Patrol authorizes for those uses.
(d)
The department shall report its findings from the testing conducted pursuant to subdivision (a) to the Legislature on or before July 1, 2017. The report required by this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795.
(e)
This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends that date.