Google to Test Self-Driving Car on Public Roads

Google has been given the go-ahead to test its autonomous car on the public roads by the state of Nevada though there are a series of strict limitations set to be applied.

Google has been testing a driver-less car system since 2010, but it will finally get the chance to test out the system on public roads following a decision made by Nevada's Department of Motor Vehicles.

The Department approved Google's licence application to test autonomous vehicles on the state's roads, following approval of such a law back in February, with Google being issued with the first licence.

However, don't think that you will be seeing driver-less cars roaming The Strip in Las Vegas, as the restrictions placed on the licence stipulate that at least two people have to be in the car at all times, with one behind the wheel, ready to take control if needed.

Another stipulation of the licence is an insurance bond of $1 million (£618,000) to cover any possible accidents or incidents. Google will also have to inform the authorities of when and where it is planning on carrying out any tests, providing detailed route and time information.

To go along with the grant of a licence, the Autonomous Review Committee of the Nevada DMV has decided on a new licence plate design (above) to alert motorists that the car on the road next to them is an autonomous car.

The licence plate will feature a red background and an infinity symbol to help it stand out from the crowd. "I felt using the infinity symbol was the best way to represent the 'car of the future,'" Nevada DMV Director Bruce Breslow said in a statement.

"The unique red plate will be easily recognized by the public and law enforcement and will be used only for licensed autonomous test vehicles. When there comes a time that vehicle manufacturers market autonomous vehicles to the public, that infinity symbol will appear on a green license plate."

Back in March, Google put its autonomous car in the hands of a legally blind man and he was able to 'drive' the car to lunch and take a trip around town.