http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2024/10/section/1Automated Vehicles Act 2024Statute Law Database2026-05-18Expert Participation2026-05-15 Part 1Chapter 1 1 1 This section applies for the purposes of this Part. 2 A vehicle “satisfies the self-driving test” if— a it is designed or adapted with the intention that a feature of the vehicle will allow it to travel autonomously, and b it is capable of doing so, by means of that feature, safely and legally. 3 Whether a vehicle satisfies the test is to be assessed by reference to the location and circumstances of that intended travel (and may differ in respect of different locations and circumstances). 4 A “feature” of a vehicle is a combination of mechanical or electronic operations that equipment of the vehicle performs. 5 A vehicle travels “autonomously” if— a it is being controlled not by an individual but by equipment of the vehicle, and b neither the vehicle nor its surroundings are being monitored by an individual with a view to immediate intervention in the driving of the vehicle. 6 References to “control” of a vehicle are to control of the motion of the vehicle. 7 A vehicle that travels autonomously does so— a “safely” if it travels to an acceptably safe standard, and b “legally” if it travels with an acceptably low risk of committing a traffic infraction. 8 In assessing whether a vehicle is capable of travelling autonomously and safely, the Secretary of State must have particular regard to the statement of safety principles. S. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 99(1)