Russian government approves bill regulating self-driving cars, taxis, and trams, Kommersant reports
The Russian government approved the final version of a bill called “On Highly Automated Vehicles” on November 12, the Russian business daily Kommersant reported after reviewing the document.
On November 12, the Russian government approved the final version of a bill titled "On Highly Automated Vehicles," according to the Russian business daily Kommersant. The legislation, which took over five years to draft, has been in development since 2021 under the jurisdiction of Russia's Transport Ministry. The bill outlines general requirements and operating rules for self-driving cars, trucks, taxis, and trams, as well as regulations for liability in traffic accidents and software protection for autonomous vehicles.
It specifies the mandatory systems that autonomous vehicles must incorporate. The bill has yet to be submitted to the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, but is expected to be introduced soon. Self-driving vehicles, including taxis, trams, and trucks, have been operational in Russia since 2018, often with an operator in the vehicle as a safety measure.
Moscow currently operates the country's first autonomous tram on route No. 10 between Kulakov Street and the Shchukinskaya metro station since September 2025. Mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced in November 2026 that the number of self-driving trams in the city would increase to 15 by the end of 2026 and 25 by 2027. Meduza, the news outlet reporting this story, adheres to strict editorial standards in its coverage, including the use of AI for translation and fact-checking.
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