Changes in law, guidance and scholarly interpretation concerning automated vehicle testing and operation.
A new document in the research register does not necessarily mean a change in law. Each event identifies its type, sources and review date. Practical implications are brief interpretations of the cited sources. This overview does not monitor all legal developments.
Events and their significance
Selected events are ordered by event date. A new library record is not in itself a new legal event.
Number of events: 4
No records are currently available for this selection. This does not mean that no legal changes have occurred in the country.
Guidance change · USA · Safety evidence and operation
NHTSA withdrew the proposed AV STEP programme
Event 26 June 2026 · added to website 7 September 2026 · sources checked 7 September 2026
Who is affected
Vehicle manufacturers, ADS developers, fleet operators and researchers.
Previously
The proposal of 15 January 2025 envisaged a voluntary AV STEP programme. It was not a final adopted rule.
Now
NHTSA withdrew the proposal. The notice was published on 26 June 2026.
Practical implications
Research must distinguish proposed requirements from rules in force. Withdrawal of a proposal does not repeal an adopted rule or end all ADS initiatives.
Entry into force / applicability
This is the withdrawal of a proposal; the event date is the publication date of the notice.
Legal change · Great Britain · Passenger transport
The British APS permit regime entered into force
Event 15 May 2026 · added to website 7 September 2026 · sources checked 7 September 2026
Who is affected
APS applicants and permit holders; bus services in England, Wales and Scotland, and taxi-like or private hire services in England.
Previously
Section 82 of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 was not yet in force at Royal Assent.
Now
The power to grant APS permits has been in force since 15 May 2026. The procedural rules in SI 2026/439 commenced at the same time.
Practical implications
Planning a service requires consideration of passenger service permits alongside the conditions for vehicle operation. An APS permit does not itself establish the vehicle’s ability to operate safely without a driver.
Entry into force / applicability
15 May 2026 · Commencement of section 82 under SI 2026/437, regulation 2(a), and SI 2026/439. This does not bring all parts of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 into force.
Guidance change · Great Britain · Passenger transport
Guidance explains local authorities’ roles in APS
Event 31 March 2026 · added to website 7 September 2026 · sources checked 7 September 2026
Who is affected
Local licensing authorities, bus franchising authorities, highway authorities and APS applicants within the guidance’s scope.
Previously
Sections 85–87 of the 2024 Act provide the statutory basis for consent and consultation.
Now
The Department for Transport published non-statutory guidance on local authority consent, consultation and communication with applicants.
Practical implications
Applicants can engage with the relevant authorities before making a formal application. Consent from the relevant authority must be distinguished from consultation with the highway authority.
Entry into force / applicability
Issued 31 March 2026. The guidance has no separate legal commencement date and does not itself introduce new duties.
Germany introduced a specific remote driving regime
Event 1 December 2025 · added to website 7 September 2026 · sources checked 7 September 2026
Who is affected
Keepers of category M or N vehicles and people directly driving vehicles remotely.
Previously
The specific StVFernLV regime did not apply before 1 December 2025. This record does not assess earlier individual exemptions.
Now
StVFernLV regulates remotely driven vehicles on public roads. It requires both a KBA permit and an approved operating area.
Practical implications
A remote driver is a driver under the StVG while driving. This role differs from technical supervision of an autonomous vehicle; both the person and the remote driving equipment must be in Germany.
Entry into force / applicability
1 December 2025 · The text applies from 1 December 2025. Under § 19, the ordinance expires at the end of 30 November 2030.
Selected sources checked: 7 September 2026. These notes describe the scope of existing profiles; they are not a list of new regulatory events.
Baseline · 7 September 2026
Slovakia
The reference to § 49 has been updated following the amendment effective from 1 September 2026. The finding that a general route is absent is limited to the provisions checked and the status of parliamentary bill 1329. The guide does not cover the entire implementing legislation, all road traffic rules or individual permits.
Compared with the original snapshot, the alternative of European type approval in the current § 1e(1), point 2, is clarified. Permanent supervision during testing remains distinct from ordinary autonomous operation. The relationship between the current StVG and AFGBV procedural requirements must be resolved for an individual application; this comparison does not treat it as settled.
The testing regime was checked in the consolidated text as of 7 September 2026, including the 2020 amendment. The operational branch is limited to passenger transport. The current text of R3152-3 was confirmed directly on Légifrance. This review concerns specific provisions; freight transport, full civil liability and all implementing requirements remain outside its scope.
Scope: Testing + automated passenger transport system
The transitional nature of the framework is retained. Driverless pilots, testing with a driver and passenger service permits are distinguished. Earlier guidance describing planned APS commencement is read against the adopted SI 2026/437 and 439. Individual VSOs, specific permits and full civil liability remain outside the review.
Scope: Testing with a driver + driverless pilot + APS
Records are added after checking the cited sources and deciding to include the event. The label “sources checked” describes a source review; it does not mean that the author has individually approved every text. A new database document does not automatically become a regulatory event.
The legislation’s commencement date, review date and event publication date are separate fields. Updating the library does not itself revise profiles or historical snapshots.
