OpenLegislation

Automated Vehicles Act 2024

2024 c. 10 · Enacted 20 May 2024 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 8 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 15 May 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 44applied by 1988 c. 52, s. 34B (as inserted)Automated Vehicles Act 2024 s. 53(1)
s. 47modified by 1988 c. 52, s. 3B (as inserted)Automated Vehicles Act 2024 s. 54(1)
s. 44applied by 1988 c. 52, s. 192(1ZA) (as inserted)Automated Vehicles Act 2024 Sch. 2 para. 4(5)(b)
s. 44(5)applied by 2018 c. 18, s. 8(1A) (as inserted)Automated Vehicles Act 2024 Sch. 2 para. 5(6)(a)
s. 78coming into forceAutomated Vehicles Act 2024 (Commencement No. 3) 2026 reg. 2
s. 79coming into forceAutomated Vehicles Act 2024 (Commencement No. 3) 2026 reg. 2
s. 80coming into forceAutomated Vehicles Act 2024 (Commencement No. 3) 2026 reg. 2
s. 81coming into forceAutomated Vehicles Act 2024 (Commencement No. 3) 2026 reg. 2

An Act to regulate the use of automated vehicles on roads and in other public places; and to make other provision in relation to vehicle automation.

[20th May 2024]

Be it enacted by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Contents

  1. Part 1: Regulatory scheme for automated vehicles Not yet in force
  2. Chapter 1: Authorisation of road vehicles for automated use Not yet in force
  3. Self-driving capability Not yet in force
  4. 1Basic concepts Not yet in force
  5. 2Statement of safety principles Not yet in force
  6. Grant of authorisation Not yet in force
  7. 3Power to authorise Not yet in force
  8. 4Authorised automation features Not yet in force
  9. Authorisation requirements Not yet in force
  10. 5Authorisation requirements and conditions Not yet in force
  11. 6Authorised self-driving entities Not yet in force
  12. 7Transition demands Not yet in force
  13. Variation, suspension and withdrawal of authorisation Not yet in force
  14. 8Power to vary, suspend or withdraw Not yet in force
  15. 9Further provision about variation, suspension and withdrawal Not yet in force
  16. Administration Not yet in force
  17. 10Register of authorisations Not yet in force
  18. 11Regulations about authorisation procedure Not yet in force
  19. Chapter 2: Licensing of operators for vehicle use without user-in-charge Not yet in force
  20. 12Power to establish operator licensing scheme Not yet in force
  21. 13Further provision about operator licensing Not yet in force
  22. Chapter 3: Provision of information by regulated bodies Not yet in force
  23. Requirements imposed by regulations Not yet in force
  24. 14Collection and sharing of information Not yet in force
  25. 15Nomination of individuals Not yet in force
  26. Requirements imposed by notice Not yet in force
  27. 16Purpose for which notices may be given Not yet in force
  28. 17Power to issue information notice Not yet in force
  29. 18Power to issue interview notice Not yet in force
  30. 19Notices requiring individual attendance Not yet in force
  31. 20Offences of non-compliance Not yet in force
  32. 21Enforcement by court Not yet in force
  33. 22Use of information obtained Not yet in force
  34. 23Supplementary provision Not yet in force
  35. Offences relating to information about safety Not yet in force
  36. 24False or withheld information relevant to vehicle safety Not yet in force
  37. 25Aggravated offence where death or serious injury occurs Not yet in force
  38. Liability of individuals Not yet in force
  39. 26Liability of nominated individual Not yet in force
  40. 27Liability of senior manager Not yet in force
  41. Chapter 4: Powers to investigate premises used by regulated bodies Not yet in force
  42. 28Warrants for entry, search and seizure Not yet in force
  43. 29Powers exercisable under warrant Not yet in force
  44. 30Offences of impeding execution of warrant Not yet in force
  45. 31Seizure of items Not yet in force
  46. 32Return of warrant Not yet in force
  47. 33Use of information obtained Not yet in force
  48. Chapter 5: Civil sanctions against regulated bodies Not yet in force
  49. 34Compliance notices Not yet in force
  50. 35Redress notices Not yet in force
  51. 36Monetary penalties Not yet in force
  52. 37Supplementary provision Not yet in force
  53. Chapter 6: Other regulatory powers and duties Not yet in force
  54. 38General monitoring duty Not yet in force
  55. 39Duty with respect to incidents with potential regulatory consequences Not yet in force
  56. 40Power to require reports from police and local authorities Not yet in force
  57. Chapter 7: Supplementary provision Not yet in force
  58. 41Notices Not yet in force
  59. 42Protection of information Not yet in force
  60. 43Fees Not yet in force
  61. 44Interpretation Not yet in force
  62. 45Related amendments Not yet in force
  63. Part 2: Criminal liability for vehicle use
  64. Chapter 1: Legal position of user-in-charge Not yet in force
  65. 46Meaning of “user-in-charge” Not yet in force
  66. 47User-in-charge not liable for manner of driving Not yet in force
  67. 48Exceptions from immunity Not yet in force
  68. 49User-in-charge otherwise liable as driver Not yet in force
  69. 50Power to change or clarify existing traffic legislation Not yet in force
  70. 51Supplementary provision Not yet in force
  71. 52Interpretation Not yet in force
  72. Chapter 2: Offences
  73. 53Use of vehicle without driver or licensed oversight Not yet in force
  74. 54Dangerous use etc Not yet in force
  75. 55Amendment of tampering offence
  76. 56Amendment of offence concerning fitting of unsuitable parts
  77. Part 3: Policing and investigation Not yet in force
  78. Chapter 1: Stopping and seizure Not yet in force
  79. 57Application of stopping powers etc Not yet in force
  80. 58Seizure and detention Not yet in force
  81. 59Interpretation Not yet in force
  82. Chapter 2: Investigation of incidents by statutory inspectors Not yet in force
  83. Authorised automated vehicle incident inspectors Not yet in force
  84. 60The role of inspector Not yet in force
  85. 61Purpose of inspectors Not yet in force
  86. Investigations Not yet in force
  87. 62General power to investigate certain incidents Not yet in force
  88. 63Powers in respect of persons Not yet in force
  89. 64Powers in respect of premises Not yet in force
  90. 65Powers in respect of road traffic Not yet in force
  91. 66Offences of impeding investigation Not yet in force
  92. 67Application to police officers Not yet in force
  93. 68Report of findings Not yet in force
  94. 69Appointment of additional persons to exercise investigatory powers Not yet in force
  95. Supplementary powers Not yet in force
  96. 70Additional power in respect of information and material Not yet in force
  97. 71Obtaining reports from police Not yet in force
  98. 72Ancillary functions Not yet in force
  99. Supplementary provision Not yet in force
  100. 73Protection of information Not yet in force
  101. 74Further provision about physical evidence Not yet in force
  102. 75Expenses Not yet in force
  103. 76Offences under regulations Not yet in force
  104. 77Interpretation Not yet in force
  105. Part 4: Marketing restrictions
  106. 78Restriction of certain terms to authorised automated vehicles
  107. 79Communications likely to confuse as to autonomous capability Not yet in force
  108. 80Liability of corporate officers etc Not yet in force
  109. 81Interpretation and supplementary provision Not yet in force
  110. Part 5: Permits for automated passenger services
  111. Content and effect of permits
  112. 82Power to grant permits
  113. 83Disapplication of taxi, private hire vehicle and bus legislation
  114. 84Civil sanctions for infringements Not yet in force
  115. Requirements before granting permit
  116. 85Consent requirement for services resembling taxis or private hire vehicles
  117. 86Consent requirement for services resembling buses
  118. 87Further requirements
  119. Supplementary provision
  120. 88Collection, sharing and protection of information
  121. 89Procedural and administrative matters
  122. 90Interpretation
  123. Part 6: Adaptation of existing regimes
  124. 91Power to update type approval requirements Not yet in force
  125. 92Application of roadside testing powers etc Not yet in force
  126. 93Provision of information about traffic regulation measures
  127. Part 7: General provision
  128. 94General definitions
  129. 95Disclosure of information: interaction with external constraints
  130. 96Crown application
  131. 97Regulations
  132. 98Extent
  133. 99Commencement and transitional provision
  134. 100Short title
  135. Schedule 1: Enforcement action under Part 1: procedure Not yet in force
  136. Part 1: Unilateral variation, suspension or withdrawal of authorisation Not yet in force
  137. 1Ordinary procedure Not yet in force
  138. 2Procedure for urgent suspension or temporary variation Not yet in force
  139. 3Appeals Not yet in force
  140. 4Backstop procedure for cases where authorised self-driving entity defunct Not yet in force
  141. Part 2: Civil sanctions Not yet in force
  142. 5Notices of intent Not yet in force
  143. 6Costs Not yet in force
  144. 7Appeals Not yet in force
  145. 8Assignment of functions to traffic commissioners Not yet in force
  146. Schedule 2: Amendments related to Part 1 Not yet in force
  147. 1Theft Act 1968 (c. 60) Not yet in force
  148. 2Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 (c. 52) Not yet in force
  149. 3Limitation Act 1980 (c. 58) Not yet in force
  150. 4Road Traffic Act 1988 (c. 52) Not yet in force
  151. 5Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 (c. 18) Not yet in force
  152. Schedule 3: Amendments related to sections 53 and 54 Not yet in force
  153. 1Road Traffic Act 1988 (c. 52) Not yet in force
  154. 2Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (c. 55) Not yet in force
  155. 3Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 (c. 32) Not yet in force
  156. 4Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52) Not yet in force
  157. Schedule 4: Amendments related to section 66(3) Not yet in force
  158. 1Paragraph 1 Not yet in force
  159. Schedule 5: Enforcement of marketing restrictions Not yet in force
  160. 1Duty to enforce Not yet in force
  161. 2Application of consumer enforcement powers Not yet in force
  162. 3Out-of-court undertakings Not yet in force
  163. 4Civil injunctions Not yet in force
  164. 5Time limit for prosecution Not yet in force
  165. Schedule 6: Civil sanctions for infringing passenger permit scheme Not yet in force
  166. 1Compliance notices Not yet in force
  167. 2Monetary penalties Not yet in force
  168. 3Notice of intent Not yet in force
  169. 4Costs Not yet in force
  170. 5Cancellation and variation Not yet in force
  171. 6Appeals Not yet in force
  172. 7Enforcement action in respect of multiple occurrences Not yet in force