Federal government creates legal basis for the use of remote-controlled cars

From December 1, 2025, it will be possible to drive vehicles on public roads remotely for the first time in Germany. The person driving will not be sitting in the car, but will operate it from a different location, for example, from a control room. This technology is important for supporting autonomous driving, among other things. This is the result of the new “Road Traffic Remote Control Ordinance” (StVFernlV), which was published in the Federal Law Gazette a few days ago and will therefore come into force at the beginning of December.

Five-year trial phase

With the ordinance, the Federal Ministry of Transport has “created a clear legal framework for the testing of remote-controlled vehicles on public roads,” explained Parliamentary State Secretary for Transport Christian Hirte (CDU). “In a five-year trial phase, we are enabling innovation without losing sight of safety and responsibility.” The StVFernLV gives wings to new mobility concepts and lays the foundation for a permanent legal regulation.

The transport department sees potential for the application of the new regulation, particularly in the area of car sharing: cars could be used more efficiently by taking them to the next customer remotely after the journey. Robo-taxis without drivers would also be conceivable, traveling flexibly and on demand. The ministry also sees many opportunities in the public sector: whether in local transport with small or large vehicles or for service and delivery trips, remote-controlled solutions could supplement existing services and meet new needs. The use of remote-controlled vehicles should also increase efficiency in logistics and freight transportation.

Demanding requirements

According to the regulation, anyone wishing to drive a vehicle remotely must be 21 years of age or older, have held a driving license category corresponding to the vehicle for at least three years without interruption, and have a range of knowledge about the technology, procedure, takeover, and return of the vehicle control. For example, the person in question must be trained in content and skills relating to “sensor information of virtuality and video display, cyber sickness, immersion, and presence”. “Safety checks of the remote-controlled vehicle before setting off, while driving, and after parking the vehicle” are also required.

According to the German government, Germany should play a leading role in autonomous mobility. The Bundestag therefore passed a law as early as 2021 to enable fully automated driving at level 4, initially in defined operating areas nationwide on public roads. At this level, the system will take full control for defined applications and will no longer need to be monitored by the occupants.

A core component of the law and another associated regulation on autonomous driving is the concept of “technical supervision” (TA). Robo-cars will be able to contact them by radio in exceptional circumstances, such as a malfunctioning traffic light or a complicated, confusing construction site. Human inspectors then have to decide remotely, for example, about the safest possible stop or the conditions for continuing the journey. The German Aerospace Center (DLR) has already developed a workplace for such “teleoperators.”

(vbr)