Topics › Human roles and remote supervision
Find out about human roles in testing and operation. The overview connects duties with research on remote assistance and driving.
Glossary: who is who in automated driving? →
Answers from the practical comparison · selected sources checked on 7 September 2026 · Working research overview · targeted review of provisions
Scope: Testing route + specific delivery vehicles
§ 49 envisages a driver to whom the permit holder provides the permit. The precise supervision arrangements for a particular driverless test require consideration of road traffic rules and permit conditions.
The role of remote supervision is not fully verified in this overview.
The applicant ensures the technical, staffing and organisational prerequisites. The permit holder is responsible for fulfilling operational duties and testing conditions.
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.
Scope: Autonomous vehicle in an approved area
During ordinary autonomous operation, the technical supervisor evaluates and authorises specified alternative manoeuvres, deactivates the system and addresses the safe state. The Act does not require continuous monitoring of driving. Testing follows a different regime: permanent supervision by a driver or an on-site Technische Aufsicht.
The Halter ensures safety, maintenance and performance of technical supervision tasks. Manufacturers have separate duties concerning risks, cybersecurity, documentation and training.
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.
Scope: Testing + automated passenger transport system
During testing, the driver must be able to deactivate the system; a driver outside the vehicle must be able to take control to ensure safety. For remote intervention in a transport system, R3152-3 requires an authorised, trained and medically fit person.
The organiser is responsible for preparing safety dossiers and the launch decision. The operator establishes an operational safety management system. During testing, the permit holder ensures remedial action for events threatening safety.
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 with a driver + driverless pilot + APS
Testing with a safety driver and a pilot without one are separate routes. A pilot system should perform the entire driving task without human driving or safety-critical monitoring; the guidance permits some remote assistance.
The trialling organisation ensures test safety. Pilot guidance separately considers the operator; the APS holder fulfils service conditions. One or several persons may perform these roles.
The relevant national authority has power to grant APS permits. SI 2026/439 governs the Secretary of State’s competence only within its material and territorial scope.
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.
Articles and studies on this topic →
A thematic selection from the public library. It includes published research register data and ROAT editorial additions; it is not a complete inventory of the law in this area.
ROAT-2026-0120 · Global · Standard · Not applicable
Review date: 2026-07-14
ROAT-2026-0193 · UNECE · Official guidance · Draft
Review date: 2026-07-27
ROAT-2026-0205 · Germany · Report · Not applicable
Review date: 2026-07-31
ROAT-2026-0263 · USA · Journal article · Legal status not specified
Review date: 2026-09-06
ROAT-2026-0329 · Germany · Legislation · In force
Review date: 2026-08-31
ROAT-2026-0330 · Germany · Legislation · In force
Review date: 2026-08-31
ROAT-2026-0407 · Germany · Legislation · In force
Review date: 2026-09-07
ROAT-2026-0422 · France · Legislation · In force
Review date: 2026-09-07
ROAT-2026-0423 · France · Legislation · In force
Review date: 2026-09-07