( CNN ) -- If you want to salute , race or flirt with other drivers in Nevada , you could soon be out of luck with some cars . That 's because on Monday , Nevada became the first to approve a license for `` autonomous vehicles '' -- in other words , cars that cruise , twist and turn without the need for a driver -- on its roads . The license goes to Google , the Silicon Valley technology giant known more for its search engine and e-mail service that nonetheless has been known to dive into other big ideas such as space elevators to Internet-enabled glasses . In a 2010 post on Google 's official blog , engineer and Google X founder Sebastian Thrun said that the self-driving vehicle project aims `` to help prevent traffic accidents , free up people 's time and reduce carbon emissions by fundamentally changing car use . '' He noted that the `` automated cars use video cameras , radio sensors and a laser range finder to 'see ' other traffic , as well as detailed maps ... to navigate the road ahead . '' There is no driver needed , though one is typically in the front seat ready to take control if need be . Earlier this spring , Google said it had `` safely completed over 200,000 miles of computer-led driving . '' Monday marked a new milestone for the project , when Nevada issued a special license after demonstrations on state freeways , state highways , in Carson City neighborhoods and on Las Vegas ' landmark Las Vegas Strip , the state 's Department of Motor Vehicles said in a news release . The new plate is red and features the infinity symbol and the letters AU , for autonomous vehicle . All such cars on the road are `` test '' vehicles for now , though the state signaled it intends to be `` at the forefront of autonomous vehicle development . '' `` I felt using the infinity symbol was the best way to represent the 'car of the future , ' `` state DMV Director Bruce Breslow said . `` When there comes a time that vehicle manufactures market autonomous vehicles to the public , that infinity symbol will appear on a green license plate . '' Google was the first company to apply to test its self-driving system in Nevada , the state said , while indicating that `` other auto manufacturers have indicated their desire to test and develop '' such technology in the state .
Nevada approves a license for `` autonomous vehicles '' that drive themselves . Google will test out its self-driving technology in the state ; other companies may follow . The company says its cars have driven 200,000 miles solo without accidents . Nevada 's new red license plate feature an infinity symbol .