• by Chuck Martin , February 6, 2019

Self-driving cars could be on the road in the U.K. by 2021, the government announced today.

The Department for Transport (DfT) also issued an updated code of practice for testing automated vehicles along with its statement that “the government is on track to meet its commitment to have fully self-driving vehicles on roads by 2021, a major boost to a sector open to investment from the world's brightest transport technology companies.”

The code of conduct states that any test requires a driver either in or out of the vehicle who can resume control of the vehicle as well as carry appropriate insurance. There could also be a safety driver who can use a remote-control function to be able to control the vehicle if possible.

In-house trials of autonomous vehicles are required before trials on public roads or other public places, according to the 28-page code of practice.

The market for connected and automated vehicles is projected to be worth $67 billion by 2023, according to the DfT statement.

“Thanks to the world-class research base, this country is in the vanguard of the development of new transport technologies, including automation,” stated Jesse Normal, future of mobility minister.