Consultation outcome

Driverless cars: regulatory testing framework

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
This consultation has concluded

Detail of outcome

Following this consultation, a regulatory review has now been published.


Original consultation

Summary

Seeks views on a regulatory framework for the safe testing of self-driving cars on UK roads.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

Department for Transport is asking for views on creating a framework for the testing of driverless cars on UK roads as part of a review. The review will establish the obstacles that prevent the testing of self-driving cars on UK roads. We will also consider how these obstacles can be removed whilst maintain existing high levels of road user safety.

Our discussion document provides background information and invites you to comment on:

  • any issues, including regulatory, safety and social issues, which need to be addressed
  • the best ways to trial cars with qualified drivers and, looking further ahead, fully autonomous vehicles

We have also published a terms of reference for the review.

Background to driverless cars testing

As part of the 2013 National Infrastructure Plan, the government pledged a review of the legislative and regulatory framework to enable the trialling of driverless cars on UK roads. These plans were also announced in the 2013 Autumn Statement. On 30 July 2014, the government also launched a driverless cars competition inviting UK cities to join together with businesses and research organisations and host vehicle trials locally.

Documents

Review of the legislative and regulatory framework for testing driverless cars: discussion document and call for evidence

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email webmasterdft@dft.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Review of the legislative and regulatory framework for testing driverless cars: terms of reference

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email webmasterdft@dft.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Updates to this page

Published 4 August 2014

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