The distant driving of automobiles from abroad, akin to for the supply of rental automobiles, might be banned following a government-commissioned evaluate.
The evaluate was carried out by the Regulation Fee of England and Wales, which really helpful ministers regulate the know-how.
It’s at present used solely in managed environments, akin to farms and warehouses, however future functions may search to increase its use within the UK to the supply of rental automobiles.
The know-how permits for automobiles to be managed remotely, doubtlessly in public areas. There may be at present no UK regulation for a driver to be within the car they’re controlling.
The fee stated “difficulties in enforcement” meant distant driving from abroad ought to be prohibited “till applicable worldwide agreements are in place”.
It informed ministers that distant driving in public ought to be allowed provided that firms obtained particular permissions.
The evaluate additionally said {that a} distant driver ought to be accountable for their actions in the identical manner as somebody sitting behind the wheel of a car, however there ought to be no legal responsibility for faults past their management, akin to connectivity failures.
Nicholas Paines KC, the general public regulation commissioner, stated: “Distant driving is an thrilling know-how, however earlier than we see remotely operated automobiles on UK roads we should deal with security considerations by way of sturdy regulation.
“Our recommendation concludes that within the quick time period, the federal government would be capable to deal with some gaps within the regulation round distant driving utilizing current powers, whereas additionally offering a path for firms to make use of the know-how lawfully supplied that their techniques are secure.
“In the long term, it may arrange a full system of distant driving regulation. Laws should reply to different elementary considerations round safety threats and legal responsibility within the occasion of an accident.
“Our recommendation paper units out a highway map for the way the federal government can deal with these issues, while additionally encouraging firms to innovate.”
The transport minister Jesse Norman stated: “Distant driving is already being efficiently used off-road in a number of industries and has large potential to supply new companies and security options for highway automobiles.
“The federal government wants to make sure that security is on the forefront of the usage of any new know-how, and the division will rigorously think about the Regulation Fee’s suggestions.”
Final 12 months, the fee additionally really helpful that customers of self-driving automobiles ought to have immunity from a variety of motoring offences, together with harmful driving, rushing and leaping purple lights.