The Department for Transport (DfT) has published an updated version of the Highway Code that includes self-driving cars.
It aims to clarify what responsibilities a driver has when using a self-driving car, including what they can and cannot do on the road.
For legal purposes, a self-driving car is one defined as such by the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018.
This means vehicles that can safely and lawfully drive themselves, according to the Secretary of State for Transport’s opinion.
Ready to take control
The new text says drivers are ‘not responsible’ for a self-driving car when it is in charge of driving. This will allow drivers to view ‘built-in infotainment’ screens and turn their attention away from the road. However, this must still be done within the law.
In particular, the revised Highway Code stipulates that, even with a car in self-driving mode, drivers must still follow all relevant laws. This includes not being unfit through drink or drugs, and not using a handheld mobile phone.
You can also forget any ideas of having a quick nap in the back seat of a self-driving car.
The updated Highway Code says that drivers ‘must always be able and ready to take control, and do it when the vehicle prompts you’. In particular, this means ‘remaining in the driving seat’ and staying awake at all times.
The autonomous waiting list
Drivers must insure a self-driving car specifically as such. Should an accident occur with the vehicle in self-driving mode, the driver’s insurance policy would be liable.
The DfT notes that, at present, there are no production cars in Great Britain that are deemed to be self-driving. A small number of test vehicles have been permitted to evaluate self-driving technology on the road.
When self-driving vehicles do become available, the Secretary of State for Transport will publish details of them in a list on the Gov.UK website.
Details of self-driving cars will also be recorded on the DVLA database, offering a searchable list of those on offer.
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