If all goes well with the closed-course tests, Motional plans to put driverless cars on public roads in Nevada in the coming months. Although those cars won't have human drivers, they will have so-called safety stewards in passenger seats, according to VentureBeat. Safety stewards will be able to stop a car if needed.

“We’re not taking the shortest or fastest route to driverless operation on public roads. We’re taking the safe route — and sometimes reaching the figurative crosswalk takes a few extra steps,” Iagnemma wrote. “We hope that others will follow our lead.”

Nevada’s approval is an important milestone for Motional