Parliament has approved an amendment to three laws that establishes a legal framework for both test and commercial operation of fully automated vehicles. However, this does not mean that robotaxis can begin operating throughout Slovakia starting tomorrow.
Slovakia has taken an important step from general ambitions toward rules for the practical operation of autonomous mobility. The approved amendment aligns with European technical regulations and primarily addresses a practical question: who is permitted to operate an automated vehicle, on which roads, under what conditions, and with what level of liability.
The main distinction lies between vehicle approval and authorization for its operation. The safety of automated driving systems is assessed by the European Union in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2022/1426. The Slovak legal framework supplements the second part: the rules governing under which conditions an approved vehicle may enter test or commercial operation in a specific territory.
What Changes with Approval
The amendment establishes a process ranging from testing to service provision. The operator must first demonstrate the system’s readiness during test and trial operations. This is followed by the operator’s license; for commercial transportation, a separate operational approval and a permit from the transportation regulatory authority are also required. Each project will thus be tied to a specific vehicle type, control system, route or territory, and operating conditions.
The legal framework also introduces concepts without which autonomous operation cannot be managed: the operational area of use, the minimum safe condition, the control center, and the supervisory operator. The operational area defines not only the location but also the traffic, time, weather, and other conditions under which the system may operate. If it cannot meet these conditions, the vehicle must safely stop or transition to the minimum safe state.
This is not a blanket license to drive without a driver
The passage of the law does not constitute a blanket permit for cars without a human behind the wheel. It does not automatically open up the entire road network, nor does it grant every interested party the right to operate a robotaxi. Each project will have to demonstrate safety procedures, technical oversight, liability insurance, a data logging system, and the readiness to handle incidents.
The control center and the supervisory operator are expected to play a significant role. This structure confirms that a fully automated vehicle is not a system without accountability. Responsibility shifts from the person in the vehicle to the operator, its processes, technical infrastructure, and qualified staff.
An Opportunity and an Operational Challenge
For the Slovak automotive industry, this change has broader implications. Autonomy relies on software, sensors, computing technology, data, cybersecurity, and energy-efficient electric platforms. Regulations that allow these technologies to be tested in real-world environments can strengthen research, development, and the supply chain in Slovakia.
At the same time, regulation alone will not create a market. Operators will need clear implementing rules, predictable timelines, and authorities with the necessary expertise. Particularly sensitive issues will include the conditions for control centers, data retention, vehicle monitoring, and liability in the event of an accident. It is precisely here that it will become clear whether the new legal framework will support innovation or merely serve as a formal gateway.