Do You Need a License to Drive an Autonomous Vehicle on Public Roads?

Absolutely. As of now, there are no autonomous vehicles (AVs) permitted for public use. Those vehicles that are permitted for testing purposes require a licensed driver in the driver's seat who can take control at any moment.

When autonomous cars eventually become permitted for public use, they will also require similar requirements. As of now, we have not developed the perfect computer and software to ensure flawless operation. Chips can fail, and software is only as good as its programmer. In my opinion, relying on a computer for your life is not advisable.

Liability Issues in Autonomous Cars

Assuming the question is about driverless cars (DLs), the answer depends on the specific legal framework of the city or state.

International Standards: The Convention on Road Traffic, signed in Vienna on November 8, 1968, states that 'every moving vehicle has a driver who is responsible for liabilities.' Worldwide road laws were based on this definition.

Germany's Amendment: By 2016, Germany initiated an amendment that defines the person controlling the self-driving system as the driver when switching between self-driving and manual mode. This definition remains valid, even though fewer than 100 fully autonomous cars are currently on the market.

Driverless Car Stages:

Fully driver-controlled autonomous cars Driver-assisted autonomous cars Partial automation Conditional automation High-end automation Full automation (expected by 2030)

Currently, we are at the partial or conditional automation stage.

Legal Framework in the United States

Crucially, the United States did not sign the 1968 Vienna Convention. This means they have the freedom to frame legal rules for themselves. In the US, each state has its own bilateral agreements for autonomous vehicles, and those who satisfy these conditions are legally allowed to own driverless cars.

As of 2022, 40 states in the US have some kind of legal regulation related to self-driving vehicles, although the level of these regulations varies.

Types of Driverless Car Licenses in the US

Some US states have special licensing rules for driverless cars:

California: Requires a special license for driverless cars. Nevada: Requires endorsement from authorities in addition to a normal driver’s license. Florida: A traditional driver’s license is sufficient. North Carolina: Does not require a driver’s license at all.

As of now, there is no globally harmonized legal framework that mandates a license for driverless cars. The process is ongoing.

Challenges in Global Legal Framework

The global framework for driverless cars faces several legal challenges:

Driving distances in Europe are relatively small, requiring bilateral agreements between two countries. The European Union (EU) is working on a harmonized framework called GEAR 2030, but it has not yet decided whether a new kind of driving license is required or not. Existing driving regulations and standards for driverless cars have not fully addressed fully automated cars yet, and the legal framework is still in progress that applies to driver's licenses as well. A re-evaluation of current driving license procedures is necessary due to the continued reliance on drivers for control. Driverless cars themselves need additional support and safety standards, which are still in the developing stage. The need for a multi-stage data-driven framework for driverless car licenses is not yet in existence.

Based on the current situation, in 2022, a driving license is still required to travel in a driverless vehicle.