Self-driving cars are already here. When will the law catch up?

Self-driving cars are already on Australian roads, but lawmakers may lag behind the technology, risking either missed safety gains or unsafe roads. Tesla began rolling out the latest Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software in Australia, enabling city navigation and parking without continuous hands-on control, though drivers must be ready to take over at all times. Marketing imagery shows hands-free operation in Melbourne’s CBD, a scenario that sits in a legal grey zone. RACV policy chief James Williams argues that laws should reflect automation levels, allowing Level 4 operation while requiring hands on the wheel up to Level 3.

There is no existing legislation authorizing motorists to relinquish driving responsibility to a vehicle. Police say drivers must maintain full control at all times, regardless of automation. Williams also calls for federal safety standards and better driver education on automation levels to prevent stalled adoption or unsafe deployments as manufacturers push forward.