Public roads in Germany now permit remotely operated vehicles for the initial time.
Germany Paves Way for Remote-Controlled Vehicles on Public Roads
In a significant move towards innovative mobility solutions, Germany has established a legal framework for remote-controlled driving of vehicles on public roads. The Road Traffic Remote Control Ordinance (Straßenverkehr-Fernlenk-Verordnung, StVFernLV), published in the Federal Law Gazette, will come into effect from December 1, 2025 [1][3].
This new ordinance allows for a person to operate a vehicle not from inside it but remotely, for example from a control center, using cameras, sensors, and stable data connections [1][3]. The trial phase, spanning over a five-year period, is intended to encourage innovation in the field of remote driving while maintaining safety and responsibility [1].
The ministry anticipates significant use cases for remote-controlled vehicles in various sectors, including car sharing, robo-taxis without onboard drivers, public transport, service and delivery vehicles, and freight/logistics sectors [1][3]. The remote driving concept, also known as "teleoperation," involves real-time remote control leveraging video feed and sensors to operate the vehicle safely at a distance [3].
Christian Hirte, parliamentary state secretary in the Ministry of Transport, stated that the regulation provides a clear legal framework for the testing of remotely controlled motor vehicles in public road traffic [2]. This ordinance creates the first nationwide legal basis for remotely operated vehicles on public roads in Germany, supporting innovations around autonomous driving with human remote supervision [1][3].
Prior to this regulation, start-ups like Vay from Berlin and Fernride from Munich could only test their remotely controlled vehicles on private property, with exception permits, or abroad in public road traffic [4]. The new regulation, reported on by Tagesspiegel Background in its Tuesday edition, will provide these start-ups an opportunity to test their vehicles in Germany, fostering innovation and technological advancement in the country.
In summary, from December 2025, Germany will legally permit remote-controlled driving on public roads under a regulated trial framework focusing on innovation and safety, with broad potential applications especially in shared mobility, public transport, and logistics [1][3]. This move towards remote-controlled vehicles is a significant step towards shaping the future of mobility in Germany.
[1] Tagesspiegel Background [2] Parliamentary State Secretary Christian Hirte [3] Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur [4] Vay [5] Fernride
Technology will play a crucial role in the operation of remote-controlled vehicles on public roads in Germany, with the use of cameras, sensors, and stable data connections. The new ordinance, known as the Road Traffic Remote Control Ordinance, creates a legal framework for testing remotely controlled motor vehicles in public road traffic.
