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'Jetson Bill' will allow flying cars to drive on New Hampshire roadways

While New Hampshirites won't be allowed to take off from their public roads, the new law allows road registration of their flying vehicles.

NEW HAMPSHIRE, USA — Editor's note: The related video above was published last year.

Driving a flying car just became a bit easier for New Hampshire residents.

Last week, Gov. Chris Sununu signed a bill nicknamed the "Jetson Bill," after the animated sitcom "The Jetsons." The legislation allows "roadable aircraft" to drive on state roads.

While New Hampshirites won't be allowed to take off from their public roads, the new law allows road registration for their flying cars. This allows aircraft to be driven from one's home to an airport. 

The bill also provides rules for accidents and inspections of these vehicles.

Three flying car manufacturing companies, Samson Sky, Terrafugia and PAL-V, the latter two based in New Hampshire, all helped craft the measure. 

"This is landmark legislation, and places New Hampshire at the leading edge of incorporating roadable aircraft into a state transportation system," Sam Bousfield, CEO of Samson Sky, said in a press release.

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These vehicles still do not have permission to fly above the same roadways they can drive on. That requires permission from the Federal Aviation Administration, which remains a long way off, Axios reports.

Before the aircraft can be certified for the roads in New Hampshire, the FAA has to first inspect it and issue a tail number, commonly called an "N" number. 

The bill received bipartisan support in the state legislature, with Republican Rep. Steve Smith sponsoring it, and Democratic Sen. David Watters co-sponsoring.

Credit: Samson Sky
Artist rendering of the Samson Switchblade in ground mode.

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