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Practical guide · Slovakia
From classifying the trial through the applicant and supporting materials to the precise legal source.
Development or testing of an automated function on a public road with a driver in the vehicle. The Slovak route focuses on an unapproved automated vehicle under Section 49(1)(c).
This guide does not cover driverless trials or authorisation to provide a commercial transport service.
I have a different purpose — choose another route →Working scenario · targeted primary source review · checked on 7 September 2026.
The explanations below are ROAT paraphrases and interpretation. Each step identifies its legal basis; check the exact wording and temporal applicability in the official source.
Additional supporting information from the guide: 8. 9. 2026. The original review dates are stated alongside the sources.
Check whether this is an unapproved automated vehicle using ADS in development, production or approval. The driver’s presence alone does not establish the appropriate testing category. From 1 September 2026, the insertion of a new category of pre-series vehicles changed the lettering; automated vehicles are covered by paragraph 1(c).
The manufacturer or its representative applies under this branch for vehicles it develops or produces. The Slovak Ministry of Transport issues permission as type-approval authority.
Prepare evidence of testing outside road traffic or abroad. The application under Section 49 of Decree No. 131/2018 Coll. covers the applicant and vehicle identity, trial arrangements and justification, and a favourable Police Force opinion on the time, area or route. Section 50 and Annex 2 specify the permit template.
The permit holder must ensure staffing and organisational safety conditions and provide the driver with the permit for inspection. Exact driver requirements must be supplemented from road traffic rules and the individual permit.
Permission lasts no more than one year. It may specify area, route, time, other conditions and data collection. The test vehicle may only be used for testing.
Legal basis
Check the driver’s permit, liability insurance where required and a valid special registration number. Notify changes in conditions within 15 days; provide collected data if the permit requires it.
An aid for this project. Checking items does not confirm compliance with statutory conditions or that permission has been granted. Choices are not saved.
Text in force 1–30 September 2026; § 49 and § 135(2). Checked on 7 September 2026.
Section 49(1)(c) · Sections 49(2)(c) and 135(2) · Section 49(3)–(6) · Section 49(3) and (8)(b)–(c) · Section 49(6) and (8)(a) · Section 49(8)(c)–(e), (g)–(h)
Open official source ↗Article IX amends testing provisions; Article X governs commencement. Article IX changes took effect on 1 September 2026.
§ 49(1)–(2); amendment Article IX, points 2–6
Open official source ↗Details of vehicle approval. Sections 49–50 and Annex 2: application and template for a test-operation permit. Sections 53a–53b and Annex 4: application and template for a delivery-vehicle permit. Checked on 8 September 2026 in the version effective from 2 January 2023. For trials, reconcile the older internal references in Section 49 of the Decree with the current Act.
Section 49(a), (b), (d)–(f), Section 50 and Annex 2
Open official source ↗For delivery vehicles, check particularly § 2, § 5(6), § 6(7) and § 55b. A complete update of this layer after the amendment is outside the guide’s review.
Related road traffic rules
Open official source ↗You know what to check and prepare for a test-operation application for the described scenario with a driver. This overview does not replace permission for the specific trials.
Next step: Prepare supporting materials for the intended trial →
Prepare a description of the intended trial and the materials above. Use the open questions to structure a consultation with the competent authority; the conditions for the specific trial need to be resolved before driving.
