Do Self-Driving Cars Require a Driver's License?
2 Answers
Self-driving cars do not require a driver's license. Below is more information about self-driving cars: 1. Self-driving cars are a type of intelligent vehicle, also known as wheeled mobile robots, which primarily rely on an onboard computer system-based intelligent autopilot to achieve autonomous driving. 2. The first truly self-driving car appeared in the 1980s. In 1984, Carnegie Mellon University initiated the Navlab and ALV projects. In 1987, Mercedes-Benz and the Bundeswehr University Munich jointly launched the Eureka Prometheus Project. Since then, many large companies and research institutions have begun developing operational prototypes of self-driving cars, with Tesla being the first to introduce autonomous vehicles for specific environments. 3. Self-driving cars perceive the road environment through onboard sensing systems, automatically plan driving routes, and control the vehicle to reach predetermined destinations. They integrate various technologies such as automatic control, system architecture, artificial intelligence, and visual computing. They are the product of highly developed computer science, pattern recognition, and intelligent control technologies, and serve as an important indicator of a country's scientific research capabilities and industrial level. They have broad application prospects in both national defense and the national economy.
I've driven some cars with autonomous driving features, like Tesla's assisted driving. Currently, these vehicles can't be considered truly driverless—they fall under Level 2 or Level 3 autonomy, which means users still need to sit in the driver's seat and be ready to take over at any moment. So, theoretically, you still need a driver's license because the system might make errors, and you're responsible for emergencies. Legally, regulations vary by country—China currently only allows test vehicles to operate in certain pilot zones, and drivers must hold a valid license; some U.S. states like California have specific laws requiring operator certification, though not necessarily a traditional driver's license. In the future, when true full automation (Level 4 and above) becomes widespread, the need for a license might disappear, but we'll have to wait for regulatory updates and technological maturity. Safety-wise, the transition period is crucial: in case of accidents, liability still falls on the human driver, which affects insurance rates. In short, a driver's license is required now, but with rapid technological advancements, it's advisable to stay updated on policy changes.
