Poland among 18 EU countries backing common rules for driverless lorries
Poland has signed a declaration by 18 EU states on common rules for testing and commercial use of driverless lorries. Here is what it proposes.
The European Union wants testing and commercial use of driverless lorries to be fast, safe and legal in many countries at once. Advanced systems, rather than people, are meant to take the wheel.
Poland among 18 signatories
Poland has joined 18 EU member states that signed a joint declaration on the matter in Luxembourg on 8 June, together with the EU transport commissioner. The signatories want to create a single common market instead of 18 different legal systems.
Key points of the project
- Focus on logistics – technology development is meant to address real market needs, above all in freight transport.
- Common rules – the countries will work out uniform technical requirements and procedures, and aim for mutual recognition of type approvals.
- Full autonomy – the new regulations are meant to make commercial operations easier even without a safety driver.
- European technology – priority will go to components, systems and vehicles designed and manufactured in the European Union.
- Financial support – in 2026 the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) will allocate EUR 20 million to develop the necessary digital infrastructure.
What the declaration means in practice
The document is a declaration of cooperation and creates no international legal obligations. Each country retains the full right to decide for itself whether to allow such vehicles on its national public roads.
Do you think autonomous lorries are a safe future, or too great a risk to road traffic?