Driverless cars: regulatory testing framework

Department for Transport is asking for views on creating a framework for the testing of driverless cars on UK roads as part of a review. The review will establish the obstacles that prevent the testing of self-driving cars on UK roads. We will also consider how these obstacles can be removed whilst maintain existing high levels of road user safety.

Our discussion document provides background information and invites you to comment on:

• any issues, including regulatory, safety and social issues, which need to be addressed
• the best ways to trial cars with qualified drivers and, looking further ahead, fully autonomous vehicles

We have also published a terms of reference for the review.

Background to driverless cars testing

As part of the 2013 National Infrastructure Plan, the government pledged a review of the legislative and regulatory framework to enable the trialling of driverless cars on UK roads. These plans were also announced in the 2013 Autumn Statement. On 30 July 2014, the government also launched a driverless cars competition inviting UK cities to join together with businesses and research organisations and host vehicle trials locally.