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Testing and entry into operation

Explore test drives, driverless operation and the limits of individual legal routes.

Answers from the practical comparison · selected sources checked on 7 September 2026 · Working research overview · targeted review of provisions

Slovakia

Scope: Existing trial and delivery-vehicle rules + Act No. 248/2026 Coll., effective from 1 December 2026

Who authorises test drives?

The Ministry of Transport, as type-approval authority, grants permission under § 49. For unapproved automated vehicles, the manufacturer or its representative applies; since 1 September 2026 this falls under paragraph 1(c).

What enables driverless operation?

§ 49 authorises testing. § 52 provides a specific route for automated delivery vehicles. No general licence for ordinary driverless services was identified in the provisions checked.

Act No. 248/2026 Coll.: an operator licence under section 49a, operation approval for transport services under section 49b and permission to use the vehicle under section 32a of the Road Transport Act. Commencement: 1 December 2026.

What conditions and open issues remain?

Under the reviewed version in force, a trial-operation permit lasts no more than one year. It may restrict territory, route and time and require data collection.

Act No. 248/2026 Coll. provides for a separate licence, operating conditions, ODD and a control centre. Promulgation does not itself authorise a particular operation.

Review scope and open issues

Existing provisions use the review of 7 September 2026. The supplement of 22 September 2026 checked the adopted text of print 1329. The update of 16 October 2026 identifies promulgated Act No. 248/2026 Coll., effective from 1 December 2026. Individual permits and the complete implementing framework remain outside this profile.

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Germany

Scope: Autonomous vehicle in an approved area

Who authorises test drives?

The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) issues a testing permit on application by the vehicle keeper (Halter). The vehicle must be registered and used exclusively for testing; AFGBV § 16 specifies further conditions.

What enables driverless operation?

§ 1e requires an eligible technical approval, an approved operating area and vehicle registration. Type approval under (EU) 2022/1426 is a technical alternative; a German Betriebserlaubnis is therefore not always an additional cumulative permit.

The area is approved by the competent authority under federal or Land law; for relevant federal roads, the Act identifies a particular infrastructure management company.

What conditions and open issues remain?

An approved operating area remains a separate condition. An AFGBV testing permit generally lasts up to four years, with extension possible if conditions are met.

The practical application of older AFGBV §§ 8–9 references to Betriebserlaubnis alongside the new European alternative in § 1e StVG must be resolved, and authorisation for the specific transport service checked.

Review scope and open issues

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.

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France

Scope: Testing + automated passenger transport system

What enables driverless operation?

For an automated passenger transport system, the service organiser takes the commissioning decision. This is based on safety dossiers and favourable expert opinions, which may contain conditions. Before launch, the decision is notified to the prefect, the designated authority and road managers.

What conditions and open issues remain?

The practical operational branch covers passenger transport. A new or substantially modified system requires a decision under R3152-11. If expert opinion conditions are not met within the specified period, the service cannot operate.

Freight transport and full sector-specific authorisations were not re-verified in this pilot.

Review scope and open issues

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.

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Great Britain

Scope: Testing with a driver + driverless pilot + APS

What enables driverless operation?

A pilot without a safety driver combines vehicle approval and registration, a VSO for necessary exemptions and listing as an automated vehicle under the 2018 Act. A passenger service additionally requires an APS permit. The VCA issues the VSO on behalf of the Secretary of State; APS has a separate statutory basis.

APS alone does not establish that the vehicle may operate without a driver.

What conditions and open issues remain?

The APS basis in sections 82–83 has been in force since 15 May 2026. SI 2026/439 provides a maximum five-year term; it applies to public service vehicle services throughout Great Britain and other APS in England.

The entire Automated Vehicles Act 2024 cannot be described as in force. Northern Ireland and separate rules for other services in Wales and Scotland are outside this overview.

Review scope and open issues

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.

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Related sources

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.

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