28/4/2025 |Articles are machine translated
The amendment will allow the operation of vehicles equipped with SAE Level 3 automated driving systems from January 1, 2026. | Photo: BMW
On 24 April 2025, the President of the Republic signed an amendment to the law that creates a clear legislative framework for the operation of autonomous vehicles on Czech roads. The amendment will allow the operation of vehicles equipped with SAE Level 3 automated driving systems from 1 January 2026. The adoption of the amendment represents a significant step not only towards increasing traffic safety, but also towards promoting investment in modern technologies and strengthening the competitiveness of the Czech automotive industry on the global market. The Association of the Automotive Industry (AutoSAP), which was actively involved in the preparation of the legislation, has already started work on further development of the conditions for the operation of fully autonomous vehicles of level L4+.
From 1 January 2026, vehicles with the approved L3 autonomous driving system will be able to take over driving on selected sections, usually on motorways, in so-called “conditional automation”. The vehicle will then be responsible for tasks directly related to driving. For the driver, this means that, if the necessary conditions are met, he or she will not have to devote himself or herself to driving during this period. The only added obligation for the driver is to be ready to take over the driving when the vehicle prompts him to do so. The driver will have at least 10 seconds to take the wheel, as stipulated by the homologation regulation.
Autonomous vehicles significantly improve road safety and driving comfort. By eliminating some human errors such as fatigue, distraction or misjudgement, they help prevent road accidents. In addition, their systems react faster than humans, which significantly reduces the risk of collisions, especially in crisis situations.
The adoption of the amendment sends a clear signal to domestic companies to accelerate investment in automated technologies. The move will strengthen their ability to keep pace with foreign competitors in the development, testing and implementation of advanced solutions that represent a key added value in vehicles today. We want to develop the latest technologies in our own conditions, thereby strengthening the competitiveness of the Czech Republic and local companies in the global market. The amendment also sends a clear message to investors and technology partners from abroad: the Czech Republic is open to innovation and ready to actively support the modern automotive industry.
Zdeněk Petzl, Executive Director of the Association of the Automotive Industry (AutoSAP), commented on the signing, “The signing of the amendment by the President of the Republic is the result of several years of efforts by the automotive industry and an open dialogue with the current Minister of Transport Martin Kupka. This opens the way to modern and safe mobility. The global market for assistance systems is expected to grow 180 times between 2023 and 2035, and Czech companies have a chance to be there thanks to this legislation.”
The Association of the Automotive Industry has been a key partner in the preparation and promotion of the legislation from the beginning – from the initial expert discussions with the participation of experts from AutoSAP member companies to the successful passage of the amendment in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, where it received broad support across the political spectrum.
“The signed amendment is an important milestone, but not the final goal. We are now opening a debate on the legal conditions for fully autonomous vehicles. The Czech Republic can continue to be one of the technological leaders in the field of autonomous mobility,” says Marie Nováková, AutoSAP’s Regulatory Affairs Manager.
AutoSAP has already started preparations for the next phase, which will focus on creating a legislative framework for L4+ automated driving systems, support for real-world testing of fully autonomous vehicles and active involvement of the Czech Republic in the strategic dialogue within the Industrial Action Plan for the European automotive sector.
