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China Drafts Auto Law: Who's Liable?
25 Aug
Summary
- China proposes a new chapter for autonomous vehicles in its road safety law.
- Draft amendment defines autonomous driving and driver-assistance functions.
- Manufacturers may be liable for autonomous driving violations under the proposal.
China has put forth a draft amendment to its Road Traffic Safety Law, with the aim of incorporating a dedicated chapter for autonomous vehicles. This significant proposal was submitted to the nation's top legislature for an initial review on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
The proposed legislation seeks to provide clear definitions for autonomous driving capabilities and driver-assistance functions. It directly addresses the complex issue of legal liability in the context of self-driving technology.
Under the terms of the draft amendment, manufacturers or importers of autonomous vehicles could be assigned responsibility for any traffic violations that occur while a vehicle is operating in its autonomous mode. Conversely, vehicles operated manually or relying solely on assisted-driving features will continue to be governed by the current traffic regulations.
