The distant driving of automobiles from abroad, similar to for the supply of rental vehicles, may very well be banned following a government-commissioned overview.
The overview was carried out by the Regulation Fee of England and Wales, which advisable ministers regulate the expertise.
It’s presently used solely in managed environments, similar to farms and warehouses, however future purposes might search to increase its use within the UK to the supply of rental vehicles.
The expertise permits for automobiles to be managed remotely, doubtlessly in public areas. There’s presently no UK regulation for a driver to be within the car they’re controlling.
The fee mentioned “difficulties in enforcement” meant distant driving from abroad must be prohibited “till applicable worldwide agreements are in place”.
It advised ministers that distant driving in public must be allowed provided that corporations obtained particular permissions.
The overview additionally acknowledged {that a} distant driver must be answerable for their actions in the identical approach as somebody sitting behind the wheel of a car, however there must be no legal responsibility for faults past their management, similar to connectivity failures.
Nicholas Paines KC, the general public regulation commissioner, mentioned: “Distant driving is an thrilling expertise, however earlier than we see remotely operated vehicles on UK roads we should tackle security considerations by means of sturdy regulation.
“Our recommendation concludes that within the fast time period, the federal government would be capable to tackle some gaps within the regulation round distant driving utilizing current powers, whereas additionally offering a path for corporations to make use of the expertise lawfully supplied that their programs are secure.
“In the long run, it might arrange a full system of distant driving regulation. Rules should reply to different basic considerations round safety threats and legal responsibility within the occasion of an accident.
“Our recommendation paper units out a street map for a way the federal government can tackle these issues, while additionally encouraging corporations to innovate.”
The transport minister Jesse Norman mentioned: “Distant driving is already being efficiently used off-road in a number of industries and has large potential to offer new providers and security options for street automobiles.
“The federal government wants to make sure that security is on the forefront of the usage of any new expertise, and the division will rigorously take into account the Regulation Fee’s suggestions.”
Final yr, the fee additionally advisable that customers of self-driving vehicles ought to have immunity from a variety of motoring offences, together with harmful driving, dashing and leaping pink lights.