China: Announced Pilot Program for Intelligent Connected Vehicles including licensing requirements

On 17 November 2023, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, and the Ministry of Transport jointly launched a pilot project to allow road access for testing Intelligent Connected Vehicles (ICVs). The initiative aims to advance the deployment of ICV projects, ensure the safe operation of ICVs, and foster cohesive regulatory development. Automobile manufacturers and users are required to form a consortium and submit application plans for access to road trials. Provincial authorities will review these proposals before being forwarded to the central government for consideration. The process for granting access includes testing and safety assessments, followed by licensing procedures. Additionally, authorisation for road trials requires vehicle registration, compliance with insurance requirements, and continuous monitoring of vehicle operations.