From the end of summer 2025, it will be legally possible to drive in hands-free mode on compatible European motorways, thanks to a regulatory update approved by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (Unece). Although it still falls under assisted driving, this step lays the groundwork for the gradual roll-out of autonomous vehicles. The update, adopted by the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) in March 2024 and formally in force since September that same year, focuses on driver control assistance systems (Dcas), which are classified as level 2 on the Sae scale. In practical terms, the vehicle can continuously manage both steering and speed, but without ever replacing the driver, who remains fully responsible for driving.
The main innovation is the possibility to take hands off the wheel on selected motorway stretches, provided the system can detect the driver’s continuous attention. To enable this, vehicles must be equipped with visual monitoring systems that verify whether the driver is looking at the road. If inattentiveness is detected, the system issues visual and acoustic warnings to regain the driver’s attention. The update also allows for system-initiated manoeuvres, such as automatic lane changes, but even in such cases the driver must supervise the operation and be ready to take over at any time.
The Unece update represents a compromise between technological innovation and the precautionary principle. Hands-free driving is permitted only on suitable infrastructure, such as motorways and high-speed roads that meet strict safety criteria. Unlike in North America or China, the European regulatory framework remains more restrictive, for example requiring the driver to periodically place their hands back on the wheel to demonstrate active engagement.
Manufacturers wishing to approve vehicles equipped with Dcas technology will be subject to strict post-sale monitoring obligations. They must submit annual and, when requested, ad hoc reports on critical safety events, ensuring constant oversight by the relevant authority. In parallel, clear and transparent information must be provided to users, both through official websites and at dealerships. The aim is to avoid any misunderstanding of these systems as fully autonomous driving, and instead promote responsible usage within the defined legal boundaries.
Nevertheless, critical voices have emerged. Some organisations, including the European Transport Safety Council (Etsc), have raised concerns over the introduction of hands-free functions in level 2 vehicles, warning that a perceived increase in automation may dangerously reduce driver alertness. For this reason, the regulation maintains a cautious approach: no automation is permitted without continuous human involvement, as the human driver remains central to the system of responsibility and safety.
