Is it illegal to use autonomous driving in cars?

[VioletAnn]

Using autonomous driving in cars is not illegal. In China, when accidents involving driverless cars occur, liability can only be pursued against the producers or sellers. In China, current laws have almost no regulations regarding autonomous vehicles. The Road Traffic Safety Law does not address the legal regulation of autonomous vehicles. For example, provisions in Articles 2, 16, and 19 of the Road Traffic Safety Law concerning vehicle testing, assembly, modification of motor vehicles, as well as driver's licenses and subjects, do not apply to autonomous vehicles. Additionally, although Article 76 of the Road Traffic Safety Law stipulates the allocation of liability for personal injuries, deaths, or property losses caused by traffic accidents involving motor vehicles, it does not directly specify the liability allocation for autonomous vehicles.

[LeMarley]

I think this issue depends on the specific situation. Most cars on the road today are equipped with assisted driving features, such as adaptive cruise control or lane keeping assist. These functions are not considered illegal in many places, but the prerequisite is that you must always be ready to take over. I've personally tried these features, and they do make long-distance driving much easier, but you absolutely must not take your hands off the steering wheel. If you completely let go and let the car drive itself, that's definitely not allowed—current Chinese laws require the driver to bear full responsibility. I've heard that some car owners have been penalized with points deducted and fines for using their phones while assisted driving is active, so safety should always come first. True autonomous driving is still in the testing phase, with only a few pilot areas allowing it. Overall, using assisted driving features reasonably at this stage is fine, but treating them as fully autonomous driving crosses the line.

[Finley]

From my experience, whether using autonomous driving features is illegal mainly depends on two factors: the type of vehicle and the regulations in your region. Currently, most so-called autonomous vehicles on the market are actually at the L2 assisted driving level, which requires human drivers to monitor at all times. Under such circumstances, normal usage is not considered illegal. However, I learned at industry seminars that global laws regarding fully autonomous driving (L4 and above) are still being refined. For example, Germany permits testing in specific zones, while China is gradually opening up pilot areas. The key lies in the usage method: using a phone while driving, sleeping, or deliberately failing to take over control will definitely lead to liability if caught. A police friend mentioned handling many accident cases caused by over-reliance on assisted driving. Therefore, I recommend everyone thoroughly understand the manual and avoid attempting unapproved maneuvers beyond its instructions.

[Erin]

As an experienced driver, here's my take: Using adaptive cruise control or lane keeping assist in daily driving is not illegal at all. But it's crucial to understand what truly constitutes autonomous driving. My car has an automatic parking feature which is quite handy, but when using driving assistance on highways, I never take my eyes off the road. Last year, there was news about a driver who got his license revoked for sleeping while using driving assistance - that's clearly system abuse. Current regulations require drivers to maintain vehicle control at all times, like how some car models will sound alarms if you take your hands off the wheel for more than 30 seconds. Ultimately, no matter how advanced the technology is, it's just an assistive tool - you still need to pay attention to road conditions yourself. Used properly, it enhances safety; used improperly, it could turn into a road hazard.

[JosephAnn]

Let me explain this from a technical perspective. First, it depends on the autonomous driving level: currently mass-produced L2 systems require human-machine co-driving, and proper usage is completely legal. But if you're watching TikTok while using driving assistance, that definitely counts as dangerous driving. Having worked in an automaker before, I know China introduced autonomous driving access standards last year, clearly stating that L3+ systems require real-time driver monitoring. One case left a deep impression - a driver fully trusted the assistance system on the highway and caused a rear-end collision, ultimately being held fully responsible. Truly illegal situations include modifying systems, activating full self-driving in non-pilot areas, or intentionally disabling safety alerts. I recommend owners regularly update system versions, as operational limitations vary significantly between different vehicle models.

[ZaneLee]

From a safe driving perspective, it's perfectly fine to legally use driver assistance features. I drive 500 kilometers on highways weekly, and lane keeping helps me conserve energy. But remember the key point: the law doesn't recognize drivers who doze off behind the wheel. Traffic regulations clearly state that drivers must maintain control of the vehicle, so designs like Tesla's that require periodic steering wheel contact become illegal if hands are off for longer than the set duration. A relative learned this the hard way - thinking the system could handle stop-and-go traffic, he got rear-ended, and the traffic police warned him that over-reliance on such systems constitutes dangerous driving. Currently, the best strategy is to treat these features as advanced cruise control - your feet can rest, but your eyes and hands must remain alert. Policies adjust with technological advancements, but responsibility always remains with the human operator.