Two decades ago, driverless cars were mostly the stuff of science-fiction fantasy, a feature in a futuristic movie or a conceptual project for engineering students.

Today, the earliest versions of autonomous vehicles are very much real. Technology companies and vehicle manufacturers are in fierce competition, and states can't seem to move fast enough to welcome driverless test vehicles onto their roads.

Michigan, Texas and Florida have lured pilot projects in their states with industry friendly, limited rules. California through March had issued autonomous vehicle test permits to 29 companies, including Google, Tesla Motors, Uber's UATC and GM Cruise. Smaller states, including North Dakota, Alabama and New Hampshire, are pursuing legislation to lure the industry — with its jobs and cachet — within their borders.

Related: Tech Giants Rev Up Lobbying on Autonomous Vehicles