Victoria’s automated driving system (ADS) permit scheme

On-road trials of automated vehicles are critical to their safe development and deployment. They also serve as an opportunity to build government’s knowledge about the technology, as well as public awareness and perception. Victoria’s Automated Driving System (ADS) permit scheme is a performance-based framework within which vehicle manufacturers, technology developers and mobility providers can lawfully operate an automated driving system for testing and development purposes, with or without a human ‘driver’. This paper discusses the concept behind the scheme, and aims to share the learnings to date.