Autonomous Cars UN Adopts Regulations for Automated Vehicles

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The UN members have agreed on future approval rules for autonomous cars. The requirements for their driving skills are manageable.

For the approval of highly automated and driverless cars, there is now a global technical framework for the first time. The World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has adopted regulations for the so-called Automated Driving Systems (ADS). They define the evidence manufacturers must provide for vehicles with automated driving functions to receive approval in the future.

These are systems that can take over the entire driving task—not only steering or braking but also monitoring the surroundings, assessing traffic situations, and making driving decisions. In the industry, this refers to vehicles from autonomy level 3 upwards—currently including primarily robotaxis and automated shuttles. Additionally, a few standard passenger cars with highly automated driving functions fall into this category.

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Multi-Level Safety Verification

The core of the approval will no longer be a single passed driving test but rather a multi-level safety verification. Manufacturers must first define the exact application scope of the system, such as road type, speed, weather conditions, geographic zone, or traffic environment. The system may only be active within these boundaries.

For approval, companies must also demonstrate that their system achieves at least the safety level of a competent and careful human driver. Authorities are not only supposed to examine this information based on documentation. A mix of audits, simulations, test track trials, and real-world traffic testing is planned.

Comprehensive Audit of Processes and Technology

The development processes of the manufacturer, as well as cybersecurity and the strategy for software updates, will also be part of the approval. Additionally, there are requirements for the human-machine interface: if a driver is supposed to take over the system, the vehicle must provide timely and understandable warnings and check whether the person is ready to take over. In driverless vehicles without a driver's seat, passengers must at least have the option to request a stop.

Even after type approval, manufacturers remain obligated. Vehicles must be capable of storing safety-relevant data. Accidents, critical situations, system errors, and safety-relevant software issues must be reported to the authorities. Additionally, regular reports on mileage, operating time, and incidents are required.

The UN requirements are intended to prevent entirely different approval standards for automated vehicles from arising in each country. However, the regulations still need to be implemented into national law or at least applied. For automakers, the decision is still an important step: for the first time, they receive an internationally coordinated catalog of what they need to prove for the approval of driverless technology.