It’s an exciting moment for autonomous driving. Rapid technological progress combined with evolving legislation is bringing us closer than ever to a future where self-driving vehicles are part of everyday life. But what do these developments actually look like? What do they mean for our cities? And most importantly, what regulations apply in different countries?
Autonomous Driving Will Improve Mobility Beyond Cities
Quiet, driverless, and available whenever you need it. More sustainable, more efficient, and better access to mobility. The advantages of fully electric, on-demand autonomous mobility are hard to ignore.
This technology has the potential not just to enhance public transportation, but to fundamentally reshape how we move. Self-driving vehicles that run emission-free and are guided by intelligent software along optimized routes could make private car usage less appealing. Instead, people benefit from more flexible mobility options, shorter waiting times, and a higher quality of life. And cleaner air, too.
Autonomous vehicles can also improve traffic flow by consistently maintaining safe distances and helping to reduce congestion. When it comes to safety, the potential impact is significant. According to the World Health Organization, around 1.19 million people worldwide lose their lives in road traffic accidents every year. At the same time, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that about 94 percent of accidents are caused by human error, such as distraction or misjudgment.
Even today, driver assistance systems are already helping to reduce these risks. A study by the IIHS suggests that nearly one third of accidents caused by human error could potentially be prevented by autonomous vehicles, significantly lowering the number of injuries.
The SAE-Levels of Autonomous Driving
Around the world, automated driving is classified using the SAE-levels, which range from Level 0 to Level 5. These levels describe how much responsibility the system takes over while driving. In 2021, SAE and ISO refined this framework to make the distinctions between levels clearer.
- Level 2 – Partial Automation:
- The system can handle multiple driving tasks at the same time, such as steering and accelerating. However, the driver remains in charge and must be ready to take over at any moment.
- Level 3 – Conditional Automation:
- The system takes over all driving tasks under certain conditions. The driver must be ready to step back in when prompted.
- Level 4 – High Automation:
- The system can operate fully autonomously within defined areas of use. In these scenarios, no human driver is required.
- Level 5 – Full Automation:
- The system can handle all driving tasks under all conditions, without any human involvement.
- Level 4 marks a major step forward in autonomous driving. At this stage, vehicles can operate independently within clearly defined environments, taking over the entire driving task without the need for a safety driver.
Further information on the SAE-levels of autonomous driving.
The Challenges of Autonomous Driving
In Germany, significant efforts are underway to advance both vehicle and software development for autonomous driving. The challenges are complex and largely technological. At the same time, Europe places particularly high demands on safety and data protection. Meeting these standards without losing global competitiveness is a key challenge.
For example, autonomous vehicles must be able to operate safely in all intended weather conditions, year-round. They also need to reliably distinguish between safe and potentially dangerous situations and respond accordingly at all times.
European Regulation for Autonomous Driving
Autonomous mobility is not just about technology. Regulation plays an equally important role. Clear legal frameworks are essential to foster innovation, ensure safety, and build trust among manufacturers, operators, and users alike. They also help strengthen Germany and Europe as leading locations for technology and industry.
So how are different European countries approaching this?
While legal frameworks vary across Europe, there is one common requirement. Autonomous vehicles must receive EU-type approval before they can be produced at scale. In addition, several countries have already introduced national laws governing how these vehicles can operate on public roads. Here is a closer look:
Autonomous Driving in Europe: Regulation
EU-Type Approval
At the EU level, a unified type approval framework ensures that vehicles can be tested and approved for large-scale production across all member states under consistent criteria. This also applies to automated and autonomous driving systems.
The framework is based on regulation (EU) 2018/858, which sets out the technical and administrative requirements vehicles must meet before entering the European market. It is complemented by regulation (EU) 2019/2144, which introduces additional safety requirements and explicitly includes automated systems. Currently, approvals are limited to small production volumes of up to 1,500 vehicles per year.
EU-type approval forms the foundation for technical certification across the EU. However, operating these vehicles still requires alignment with national traffic laws in each member state.
Regulation for Autonomous Driving in Germany
Germany has taken a leading role in this area. In 2021, it became the first country to establish a legal framework for Level 4 autonomous driving within defined operating areas. This includes the Autonomous Driving Act and the Autonomous Vehicles Approval and Operation Ordinance (AFGBV), introduced in 2022.
Today, numerous pilot projects involving autonomous shuttle services in public transport are already underway, helping to move digital and connected mobility forward.
Regulation for Autonomous Driving in France
France also moved early to create a legal framework for autonomous vehicles. Since 2022, self-driving vehicles up to Level 4 have been allowed in public transport within defined operating areas, similar to Germany.
One key requirement is that certain driving maneuvers must be able to be monitored and approved remotely from a control center.
Regulation for Autonomous Driving in Croatia
Croatia is increasingly positioning itself as an innovation-friendly player in autonomous mobility. Since 2024, national regulations have allowed the deployment of vehicles up to Level 4 and 5, with a strong focus on technical requirements such as remote operation, data access, and real-time monitoring.
This approach combines clear regulatory guidelines with real-world testing in urban environments, creating favorable conditions for new mobility business models.
Regulation for Autonomous Driving in Switzerland
Since March 2025, Switzerland has introduced clear rules for automated driving. Approved use cases include highway pilot systems (SAE-Level 3), automated parking, and driverless vehicles on designated routes (Level 4), for example in shuttle or logistics services.
The Future of Mobility Is Autonomous
The progress we’re seeing in legislation makes one thing clear. Autonomous driving will be a core part of the future of mobility. On-demand services, in particular, offer exciting opportunities to unlock even more potential.
At MOIA, we’re proud to be part of this journey.