Autonomous Vehicle Safety and Test Drivers

High School

Take a college preparatory curriculum in high school that includes classes in computer science (especially software development and artificial intelligence), mathematics, physics, speech, and English.

Postsecondary Education

Many companies hire drivers who have experience driving large trucks and buses. These drivers may have associate’s degrees or certificates in truck driving, or they may have completed an apprenticeship program or military training. Some companies prefer to hire job candidates with a bachelor’s degree in software development, computer science, or engineering.

Certification

Pima Community College offers an autonomous vehicle driver and operations specialist certificate program. In the program, students learn how to interact with autonomous vehicles and receive an overview of the computer hardware components and electrical systems of autonomous vehicles and safety, health, and environmental regulations. Applicants for the program must have a current Class A commercial driver’s license. Visit https://www.pima.edu/academics-programs/degrees-certificates/industry-manuf-construction/truck-driving/autonomous-vehicle-specialist-cert for more information. Wayne State University offers a mobility certificate program, which covers autonomous vehicle technology and other topics. Visit https://engineering.wayne.edu/mobility-program for more information.

Other Education or Training

A growing number of colleges and universities, professional associations, and online learning platforms (OLPs) offer online and in-person classes in autonomous vehicle technology, artificial intelligence, and related fields. For example, SAE International offers Introduction to Highly Automated Vehicle. According to the association, students who take this class “will learn how highly automated vehicles perceive the world, make decisions, and either warn drivers or actively intervene in controlling the vehicle to avoid or mitigate crashes.” The OLP Udacity offers Intro to Self-Driving Cars and other classes about autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, and related topics. Contact providers in your area to learn about educational options.