Updated and Extended Report on Regulations for Automated Driving

The new report provides more detailed descriptions of the various regulations that affect the development and use of automated vehicles, as well as ongoing initiatives that may eventually impact this. Some clarifications have also been made following questions from readers. A recurring question concerns the distinction between automated driving and manual driving using advanced driver assistance systems. Another comment addressed why the SAE taxonomy is not used for regulation, despite its widespread acceptance internationally. Additionally, a clarification has been made regarding the EU driving license rules, which still require a physical driver for a motorized vehicle, even when it is driven in an automated manner.
 

A Global Focus on Automated Driving

The report includes updates from the ongoing work within the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) related to automated vehicles. For example, UNECE has appointed a working group to develop type-approval requirements for Automated Driving Systems by 2026. Currently, the only automated driving functions for which UN type-approval requirements exist are Automated Lane Keeping Systems. In parallel, type-approval requirements are also being developed for very advanced driver assistance systems.

The report also provides updates on how UNECE’s work on developing a new legal instrument for safe automated driving is progressing. The appointed expert group has recently conducted a careful analysis of the old road traffic conventions to identify gaps and the need for additions in light of automated driving.
 

The EU’s Key Issues Regarding Automated Vehicles

The report also includes updates from the ongoing work within the EU, such as:

• A new interpretative document for the EU type-approval rules for Automated Driving Systems.
• Ongoing work to update the type-approval rules regarding Automated Valet Parking for passenger cars in unlimited series.
• Updates regarding the AI Act, which has progressed from proposal to adoption, and the importance of the AI ​​rules in relation to automated vehicles.
   

Additional Examples of National Regulatory Initiatives

Finally, the report provides several examples of national legislative work. The ongoing work in Finland and Norway has been added, and the sections on Sweden and the United Kingdom have been updated with the latest news.

Read the report
Find out more about the project
Read the first report from January 2024