As soon as April, truly autonomous cars without a human driver will be wheeling around California, thanks to regulations approved today by the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

Companies operating driverless cars will be able to apply for permits on April 2. Three types of permits will be available: driverless testing, testing with a safety driver in the car and deployment. This is the first time companies will be allowed to test a car without a human ready to take the wheel in an emergency.

There is a small catch: When the cars are on public roads, they must be watched by a remote driver who can take control of the car if need be. That person will be situated in a remote location but must be able to contact law enforcement or any passengers the car might be carrying at any time during the trip.

“This is a major step forward for autonomous technology in California,” DMV Director Jean Shiomoto said in a statement. “Safety is our top concern and we are ready to begin working with manufacturers that are prepared to test fully driverless vehicles in California.”

It’s thought that 50 companies are registered in the state to test autonomous vehicles, with California seen as the place where such technology will thrive. Uber Technologies Inc. has praised the state for its landmark move, saying that it’s a step in the right direction.

“This is a significant step towards an autonomous future in the state, and signals that California is interested in leading by example in the deployment of autonomous vehicles,” Uber spokesperson Sarah Abboud said in a statement. “With this effort complete, we look forward to working with California as it develops regulations applicable to autonomous trucks.”

Any companies wishing to apply for a permit must demonstrate to officials the car can comply with traffic rules and meets various safety standards. Companies are also expected to coordinate with city officials in the location where they want to test.

Image: emdot via Flickr