Research and analysis

Public understanding of vehicle automation terms

Investigates public understanding of the terms used to describe and market self-driving and driver assistance vehicles and their features.

• From: Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles
• Published: 31 March 2026

Documents

What does it mean? Public understanding of vehicle automation terms

PDF, 2.7 MB, 97 pages

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Details

Report on public understanding in the UK of the meaning of terms used to describe and market self-driving and driver assistance vehicles and their features.

The report is based on a representative survey of UK adults that asked about the terminology used to describe:

• automated driving system (ADS) and advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features and brands
• the vehicles equipped with these systems

The survey includes detailed questions covering awareness, capabilities, terminology, level of attention required and legal responsibility, along with demographic data enabling targeted analysis.

This independent study by Ipsos was commissioned by the Department for Transport.

Published 31 March 2026