Complys
Free tool

Autonomous vehicle compliance checker

Answer a few questions about your self-driving operation and this checker will point you to the likely regime, the authorities involved, the routes to consider and the evidence to start preparing — with links to the primary sources to confirm against. It keeps the different states (in force now, pilot, coming later) clearly separate.

Important: Complys is compliance record-keeping software. It is not the Department for Transport, DVSA, the Vehicle Certification Agency or CCAV, and it does not authorise or certify vehicles, grant a Vehicle Special Order, permit or licence, or replace legal advice. This page is general information about a developing area of UK law to help you understand the rules and find the official guidance — organisations remain responsible for their own compliance.

How this checker works — and what it can’t do

It is a rules-based tool that maps your answers to the current published guidance and legislation. It errs to “further review required” whenever the answer depends on detail it can’t assess. It runs entirely in your browser and records nothing — no answers are stored or sent. It is general guidance, not a legal determination, and it does not authorise vehicles, grant a Vehicle Special Order, listing or permit, or replace advice from DfT, DVSA, the VCA or CCAV.

Explore the framework

Primary sources this checker draws on

  1. Automated Vehicles Act 2024
  2. Automated Vehicles Act implementation programme
  3. Next step on the UK rollout of self-driving vehicles as public, charities and businesses asked for their views
  4. Self-driving vehicle pilot scheme: information for applicants
  5. Piloting of Self-Driving Vehicles
  6. Road Traffic Act 1988, section 44 (authorisation of use on roads of special vehicles)
  7. Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018
  8. The Automated Vehicles (Permits for Automated Passenger Services) Regulations 2026
  9. Automated passenger service permits: local authority and transport body roles
  10. Apply for an Automated Passenger Service (APS) Permit
  11. NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF)

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.