On 20 May 2024, the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 received Royal Assent. The Act says that it will regulate the use of automated vehicles on roads and other public locations, and introduce provisions on vehicle automation. The UK Government also published a news story.
Some of the key points of the Automated Vehicle Act 2024 are:
– It sets out a scheme of authorisation for automated road vehicles (see Part 1). This includes (a) a system of authorisation (see Chapter 1 of Part 1), (b) licensing of operators for vehicle use without a user-in-charge (see Chapter 2 of Part 1), (c) provisions allowing regulatory bodies to ask for information (see Chapter 3 of Part 1), (d) introducing investigatory powers (see Chapter 4 of Part 1), (e) introducing civil sanctions against regulatory bodies (see Chapter 5 of Part 1) and (f) making other regulatory powers and duties (see Chapter 6 of Part 1).
– It introduces criminal liability for vehicle use (including stop and seize powers an offence of using a vehicle without driver or licenced oversight).
– It gives powers to the Police including stop and seizure powers (see Part 3).
The Act will come into force on a future date. The Secretary of State will need to make a commencement order.