Select a country and term. Each role identifies its tasks, legal status and specific source.
Targeted source review on 2026-09-07 · 17 selected roles.
Similar names do not imply identical legal status. Original terms accompany the explanation. For British roles, the adopted statutory framework is distinguished from the permit regime already in operation.
Compare supervision and driving
The first comparison covers three Slovak and German roles. It shows the difference between taking control, authorising a manoeuvre and directly driving remotely.
Reviewed: 2026-09-07. Comparing functions does not establish legal equivalence between roles.
Supervision and direct vehicle driving — conditions for each role
Legal status: Practical description of a testing role
The person inside the vehicle envisaged by the testing project for supervision and intervention. In this glossary, this is a practical description, not a common statutory definition for both countries.
What tasks does the role involve?
The Slovak testing branch requires identification of the driver’s and permit holder’s duties. In the German automated-function branch, § 1i requires continuous supervision by a reliable driver.
A job title alone does not establish the required qualifications, scope of intervention or fulfilment of permit conditions.
This citation refers to ROAT’s explanation. For a legal claim, also cite the relevant legislation and provision.
Testing
Driver during testing
Original term: vodič vozidla / Fahrzeugführer
Legal status: Legislation in force within the stated scope
A person acting as driver. Slovak § 49 envisages the driver holding the permit and presenting it for inspection. German § 1i expressly assigns continuous supervision to the driver for automated functions.
What tasks does the role involve?
In Slovakia, the permit holder gives the permit to the driver. In Germany, this testing branch requires the driver to be reliable in relation to the technical development of road vehicles.
This entry does not exhaust detailed driving licence requirements or all road traffic rules. The driver role cannot simply be transferred to technical supervision of an autonomous function.
This citation refers to ROAT’s explanation. For a legal claim, also cite the relevant legislation and provision.
Application · differing national conditions
Testing applicant
Original term: navrhovateľ / Antragsteller in the particular procedure
Legal status: Legislation in force within the stated scope
The person entitled to apply for permission. For the Slovak branch covering an unapproved automated vehicle, this is the manufacturer or its representative for vehicles it develops or produces. German § 1i identifies the Halter as applicant.
What tasks does the role involve?
The Slovak applicant ensures technical, staffing and organisational safety prerequisites and submits safety evidence. The German application is made to the KBA.
A research team, vehicle owner or project client is not automatically an eligible applicant. The relevant statutory category must first be checked.
This citation refers to ROAT’s explanation. For a legal claim, also cite the relevant legislation and provision.
Slovakia
Slovakia · after permission is granted
Testing permit holder
Original term: držiteľ povolenia skúšobnej prevádzky
Legal status: Legislation in force within the stated scope
The addressee of duties associated with permitted testing under § 49(8) of Act No. 106/2018 Coll.
What tasks does the role involve?
Ensures the testing purpose, safety, provision of the permit to the driver, insurance where required and relevant registration documents. Notifies changes in conditions and provides specified data under the permit.
This role does not simply mean the person behind the wheel. Nor is it automatically a translation of the German Halter; the Slovak term refers to holding a specific permit.
This citation refers to ROAT’s explanation. For a legal claim, also cite the relevant legislation and provision.
Slovakia · driving supervision
Person performing supervision
Original term: osoba, ktorá vykonáva dohľad nad vozidlom využívajúcim automatizovaný systém riadenia
Legal status: Text in force as of 7 September 2026
The Act includes this person in the definition of a driver. Supervision therefore does not merely mean observing operation without the ability to intervene.
What tasks does the role involve?
Monitors traffic and takes control safely and in good time at the system’s request or, where circumstances require, without a request, including remotely.
This is not an automatic equivalent of German technical supervision.
This citation refers to ROAT’s explanation. For a legal claim, also cite the relevant legislation and provision.
Slovakia · operating permit
Delivery vehicle permit holder
Original term: držiteľ povolenia prevádzky automatizovaného doručovacieho vozidla
Legal status: Text in force as of 7 September 2026
The recipient of permission to operate an automated delivery vehicle. The vehicle operator applies for permission.
What tasks does the role involve?
Ensures safety, insurance and vehicle marking, complies with permit conditions and notification duties. Keeps records of the driver, vehicle and supervision time.
The permit holder need not be the person currently performing supervision.
This citation refers to ROAT’s explanation. For a legal claim, also cite the relevant legislation and provision.
Germany
Germany · testing and autonomous operation
Halter
Original term: Halter des Kraftfahrzeugs
Legal status: Legislation in force within the stated scope
A German legal term, rendered in our overviews as vehicle keeper. This entry explains the duties in the provisions examined, not a complete definition or identification of a particular person.
What tasks does the role involve?
For testing under § 1i, applies for a KBA permit. For autonomous operation under § 1f(1), ensures safety, environmental compatibility, maintenance and performance of technical supervision tasks.
The translation “keeper” does not establish identity with the driver, owner or Slovak testing permit holder. Identifying the Halter and assessing compensation require separate legal analysis.
This citation refers to ROAT’s explanation. For a legal claim, also cite the relevant legislation and provision.
Germany · autonomous functions
Technical supervisor
Original term: Technische Aufsicht
Legal status: Legislation in force within the stated scope
Under § 1d(3), a natural person capable of deactivating an autonomous vehicle and authorising manoeuvres within the statutory regime.
What tasks does the role involve?
During autonomous operation, assesses an alternative manoeuvre, authorises it if conditions are met, deactivates the function at the system’s request and responds to its state. For autonomous-function testing, § 1i additionally requires continuous supervision and the person’s on-site presence.
Authorising a manoeuvre does not itself mean executing it directly with a steering wheel or pedals. Ordinary autonomous operation duties and testing conditions must be read separately; no Slovak equivalent is determined here.
This citation refers to ROAT’s explanation. For a legal claim, also cite the relevant legislation and provision.
Germany · remote driving
Person driving remotely
Original term: Fernlenkende Person
Legal status: Temporary regime in force; expires on 30 November 2030
A natural person outside the vehicle who directly drives it using technical remote driving equipment.
What tasks does the role involve?
While driving remotely, must not simultaneously drive another vehicle; observes driving and rest periods and informs the Halter of statutory changes in fitness to drive.
Direct driving differs from authorisation of manoeuvres by a technical supervisor.
Statutory role framework: sections 6, 12–13, 46–48 and 82. Adoption of the Act alone does not launch all regimes; implementation status is explained by the official sources below.
DfT — roles in the automated passenger service permit system
Official non-statutory guidance retrieved on 7 September 2026. Sections Automated Vehicles Act 2024 and How will APS permit-holders fit into this scheme? Full framework implementation is planned for the second half of 2027.
Regulation 2: brings Part 5 into force from 15 May 2026, except sections 84 and 89(8)(b), (10). Review of the saved official text dated 7 September 2026.
When extending the selection of roles, we used NewlyPossible — Automated Driving Roles as a starting point. ROAT’s explanations draw on the cited legislation and official guidance.
