can you drive a self driving car

[ArcherDella]

Yes, you can drive a self-driving car, but it’s crucial to understand that you are always the responsible driver. Currently, no vehicle for sale is fully autonomous. Systems like Tesla's Autopilot, GM's Super Cruise, and Ford's BlueCruise are classified as Level 2 driver-assistance systems. This means they require the driver to remain actively engaged, with hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road, ready to take control at any moment.

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) defines six levels of driving automation, from Level 0 (no automation) to Level 5 (full automation). Consumer vehicles today are at Level 2. The leap to Level 3, where the car drives itself under specific conditions but may request the driver to intervene, is just beginning in some markets with models like the Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot.

Operating a vehicle with these systems involves understanding its capabilities and limitations. You must stay alert. The technology can be deceived by faded lane markings, severe weather, or unexpected obstacles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigates crashes involving these systems to emphasize that driver inattention remains a primary risk. Think of it as a sophisticated co-pilot that reduces fatigue on long highway drives, not a replacement for your attention.

SAE Level	Name	Steering, Acceleration, Braking	Driver Must Always Be...	Example Systems
Level 0	No Automation	Human driver	Fully engaged	Basic cruise control
Level 1	Driver Assistance	Human driver, with one system assisted	Fully engaged	Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Level 2	Partial Automation	System, but driver must supervise	Supervising, hands on wheel	Tesla Autopilot, Ford BlueCruise
Level 3	Conditional Automation	System in specific conditions	Ready to intervene when prompted	Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot
Level 4	High Automation	System in defined areas (geofenced)	Not engaged; can sleep or read	Waymo robotaxi (in service area)
Level 5	Full Automation	System everywhere, all conditions	Not required	Not yet commercially available

[StMadelyn]

You're still the driver, period. My car has all the fancy lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control, and it's fantastic for reducing fatigue on a boring highway stretch. But it's not "self-driving." My foot hovers near the brake, and my hands are on the wheel. You get a false sense of security if you trust it too much. It's an advanced tool, not a chauffeur. The responsibility is 100% on you if something goes wrong.

[RemingtonMarie]

From a legal standpoint, the answer is yes, but with significant constraints. Regulations in the U.S. currently require a licensed driver to be in the driver's seat and ultimately in control of the vehicle. The technology is treated as a driver-assist feature. If a system fails or causes an incident, the human driver is liable, not the vehicle's software. So while you can operate the car, you cannot abdicate your role as the responsible operator.

[DavidLynn]

It's a bit of a misnomer. You're not really "driving" it in the traditional sense when the system is active; you're supervising it. You toggle it on, and the car handles steering and speed on the highway. It feels like the car is driving itself, but you have to constantly monitor it. The moment it gets confused—like when lane lines disappear—it'll beep and hand control back to you. It's less about driving and more about being a vigilant backup operator.