Authorised Self-Driving Entity (ASDE)
The ASDE is the organisation on the hook for how an authorised vehicle behaves when it is driving itself. It is one of the two core operator-side roles the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 creates. This page explains what an ASDE is, the duties it is expected to carry, and how it differs from a no-user-in-charge (NUIC) operator — and is careful that this is the future authorisation regime, not something in force today.
What an ASDE is
An Authorised Self-Driving Entity is the organisation — typically the vehicle manufacturer or the developer of the automated driving system — that puts a vehicle forward for authorisation and is responsible for how it behaves when it drives itself.[1],[2],[3] It is the first point of contact if something goes wrong with the self-driving behaviour.
What an ASDE is expected to do
The ASDE’s central duty is that an authorised vehicle keeps meeting the self-driving testthroughout its authorisation.[1],[2] It is expected to be of good repute and good financial standing and competent to meet the authorisation requirements,[1],[3] and it is responsible for the safety of the vehicle as a whole — not just the software — which means a safety case, software updates, maintenance and organising recalls.[3],[1] It is also expected to share specified data, report incidents where the self-driving feature was engaged, and comply with in-use enforcement such as compliance notices, redress notices and monetary penalties.[1],[2]
| Duty (expected) | What it means | Evidence to hold |
|---|---|---|
| Meet the self-driving test | Keep the vehicle meeting the threshold across its life | Safety case, test/validation evidence |
| Repute & financial standing | Be a fit, resourced entity | Corporate, financial and competence evidence |
| Whole-vehicle safety | Responsible for the vehicle, not only the ADS | Maintenance, software-update and recall records |
| Data & incidents | Share data; report self-driving incidents | Event/exposure data, incident logs |
| In-use enforcement | Respond to notices and penalties | Correspondence, remediation records |
Are you (or will you be) an ASDE?
| If you… | Then (confirm) |
|---|---|
| Build the vehicle or the automated driving system and will seek authorisation | You are likely the ASDE (or will designate one) |
| Only operate someone else’s authorised vehicles without a driver | You are likely the NUIC operator, not the ASDE |
| Carry passengers | You also need an APS permit (separate from ASDE status) |
| Are operating today | You are in the pilot scheme; ASDE authorisation is a 2027 concept |
ASDE vs NUIC operator
The ASDE is responsible for the vehicle’s self-driving behaviour; a no-user-in-charge (NUIC) operator is separately responsible for overseeing a vehicle in service without a driver. A single deployment can involve both.[1],[3] If you’re not sure which role is yours, the operator requirements guide compares them.
Not sure what applies to your operation?
Our free autonomous-vehicle compliance checker walks you through the questions that decide which regime, authorities and records apply, and points you to the primary sources to confirm against. It is guidance, not a legal determination.
Open the compliance checker →Where Complys fits
Complys does not authorise vehicles or make you an ASDE. It is the record-keeping system that keeps the evidence an ASDE relies on — safety case, software-update and maintenance records, recall and incident logs, data and corporate/financial evidence — organised, in date and produced on demand. See the compliance software overview.
FAQs
Is the ASDE the same as the vehicle manufacturer?
Often, but not necessarily. The ASDE is whoever puts the vehicle forward for authorisation and takes responsibility for its self-driving behaviour — typically the manufacturer or the developer of the automated driving system. A single organisation can be the ASDE, or that responsibility can sit with a designated entity within a group.
Do we need to be an ASDE to run a pilot today?
No. The ASDE role belongs to the Act's authorisation scheme, which is targeted for 2027 and not yet in force. Today's deployments run under the pilot scheme (a Vehicle Special Order and vehicle listing, plus an APS permit for passenger services). The sensible move now is to build the evidence an ASDE will eventually need so it carries across.
Explore the framework
Primary sources
Each numbered source is the primary reference for the claims marked with it above. This is a developing area — always check the latest guidance.
- [1] Automated Vehicles Act 2024 — UK Parliament / The National Archives (UK, GB). Published 2024-05-20. Checked 2026-09-20.
- [2] Automated Vehicles Act 2024 — Explanatory Notes — UK Parliament / The National Archives (UK, GB). Published 2024-05-20. Checked 2026-09-24.
- [3] Automated Vehicles: joint report (Law Com No 404 / Scot Law Com No 258) — Law Commission of England and Wales & Scottish Law Commission (GB). Published 2022-01-25. Checked 2026-09-24.
This guidance is maintained by the Complys team and reviewed against the primary legislation and GOV.UK / DVSA / VCA sources listed above (last reviewed September 2026). It is general information, not legal advice, and this is a developing area — always confirm against the official sources, which show their own dates above.