Holding appropriate insurance is among the prerequisites for securing permits or exemptions to conduct automated vehicle trials, according to guidelines introduced by the National Transport Commission (NTC) and Austroads.

Covers include compulsory third party, comprehensive vehicle insurance, public liability, product liability, self-insurance and work or occupational health and safety insurance.

“As a key principle in assessing trial applications, states and territories will aim to ensure any road user injured by an automated vehicle trial is no worse off than if they were injured by a human-operated vehicle,” the guidelines say.

“Trialling organisations must demonstrate to the road transport agency that they have appropriate insurance to protect against the risks associated with the trial.”

The guidelines are drawn from international best practice and aim to provide clarity to facilitate trials of self-driving vehicles.

“We have worked closely with vehicle manufacturers, technology developers and federal, state and territory governments to ensure our approach to trials is nationally consistent and reflects best practice,” NTC CEO Paul Retter said.

“This approach allows industry to innovate – they just need to demonstrate they are managing the risks, including any risk to other road users.”

Other requirements include providing road transport authorities with key information on proposed trials and safety management plans.

See the guidelines here.

See ANALYSIS.