Yes, Cruise has obtained the relevant permits from the CA DMV. The only permit they're currently missing is the one that let's them charge customers for rides.

That is interesting, because presumably self-driving cars, like all cars, are more dangerous to pedestrians than (that or other) vehicle occupants.

>Is that legal?

It is if you pay the right people enough money. Welcome to the future; where the mass dregs of humanity are now a liability to our elite cybernetic enhanced 1% overlords.