The German Federal Ministry of Transport has paved the way for the testing of remotely operated vehicles on public roads. A corresponding regulation was recently published in the Federal Law Gazette, according to Tagesspiegel Background.
The Straßenverkehrs-Fernlenk-Verordnung (Remote-Controlled Road Traffic Ordinance) establishes a legal framework for the practical trials of vehicles controlled remotely. “This ordinance creates a clear legal basis for the testing of remotely controlled motor vehicles in public road traffic” stated Christian Hirte, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport.
The move aims to foster innovation within the mobility sector while prioritizing safety and responsibility. The five-year trial phase will allow for the exploration of new mobility concepts and lay the groundwork for a permanent legislative framework.
Remote operation, also known as telesoperation, involves a driver controlling a vehicle from a central operations facility via mobile network connectivity. Crucially, the driver’s seat within the vehicle itself remains unoccupied. Previously, Germany lacked a specific legal foundation for this technology; it was not included in the autonomous driving law. As a result, companies like Berlin-based Vay and Munich-based Fernride have been restricted to operating their remotely controlled vehicles on private property, under exceptional permits, or outside of Germany.