Azerbaijan Establishes Legal Framework for the Deployment of Autonomous Land Transport

As part of the implementation of the 2026–2028 Action Plan for Accelerating Digital Development in the Republic of Azerbaijan, amendments have been made to the legislation to establish the legal framework for the deployment of autonomous vehicles.

The amendments provide for the establishment of the regulatory and institutional framework for the deployment of autonomous technologies in land transport. For the first time, the terms “autonomous vehicle,” “operator,” and “Remote Operations Center” have been incorporated into the legislation. The legislation also defines the levels of high and full driving automation.

These amendments will provide the legal basis for the operation of:

• driverless buses operating on designated routes;
• driverless metro trains;
• autonomous freight vehicles operating in logistics hubs and industrial zones; and
• remotely operated tram and railway systems.

Autonomous vehicles may operate only after undergoing state registration and being authorized for operation within areas designated by the competent authorities. For example, during the initial phase, driverless buses may be tested and operated on designated lanes or designated routes.

Operational oversight will be carried out by operators holding a special authorization certificate. This means that even though there is no driver on board, an operator at a Remote Operations Center will continuously monitor the autonomous driving system and, where necessary, intervene remotely to ensure the safe operation of the vehicle.

The draft law provides for the following:

• testing autonomous vehicles in a controlled regulatory testing environment;
• establishing Remote Operations Centers;
• ensuring the real-time transmission of data to government information systems; and
• retaining such data for a minimum of six months.

One of the draft law’s notable innovations is the introduction of a distinctive “Autonomous Vehicle” identification mark to distinguish autonomous vehicles from other vehicles.

These technologies are already being deployed in various parts of the world. For example, autonomous buses and autonomous taxis are currently being tested and operated in countries such as China, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

Overall, the proposed amendments establish the legal framework for the deployment of next-generation transport solutions in Azerbaijan, including driverless buses and autonomous metro and railway systems. This will help make the country’s transport system safer, more efficient, and more technology-driven.