The New York Department of Transportation and the office of NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio have proposed rule changes to the city code that would permit the testing of autonomous vehicles on New York City streets. 

The testing would be "preliminary" and only allowed if a driver were at the wheel at all times to take over in case of emergency, according to the New York Post. The new rules would require any company that wanted to test a vehicle in the city to apply for and receive a $5,000-per-year permit from the Department of Transportation. 

A hearing for the proposal will be held on Sept. 1. Potential testing zones have not yet been determined by the city. 

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