Abstract: A retractable steering column assembly for a selectively autonomous vehicle includes a lower jacket. Also included is a column housing moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. Further included is a plurality of teeth fixed to a surface of the lower jacket. Yet further included is a pinion gear in meshed engagement with the plurality of teeth. Also included is a potentiometer having an input shaft operatively coupled to the gear, the potentiometer converting motion of the gear into an electrical signal that corresponds to a position of the column housing.