The distant driving of automobiles from abroad, reminiscent of for the supply of rental vehicles, may very well be banned following a government-commissioned evaluation.

The evaluation was carried out by the Legislation Fee of England and Wales, which really useful ministers regulate the expertise.

It’s at the moment used solely in managed environments, reminiscent of farms and warehouses, however future functions might search to increase its use within the UK to the supply of rental vehicles.

The expertise permits for automobiles to be managed remotely, probably in public areas. There’s at the moment no UK legislation for a driver to be within the automobile they’re controlling.

The fee stated “difficulties in enforcement” meant distant driving from abroad ought to be prohibited “till acceptable worldwide agreements are in place”.

It instructed ministers that distant driving in public ought to be allowed provided that corporations obtained particular permissions.

The evaluation additionally said {that a} distant driver ought to be liable for their actions in the identical approach as somebody sitting behind the wheel of a automobile, however there ought to be no legal responsibility for faults past their management, reminiscent of connectivity failures.

Nicholas Paines KC, the general public legislation commissioner, stated: “Distant driving is an thrilling expertise, however earlier than we see remotely operated vehicles on UK roads we should tackle security considerations via robust regulation.

“Our recommendation concludes that within the speedy time period, the federal government would have the ability to tackle some gaps within the legislation round distant driving utilizing present powers, whereas additionally offering a path for corporations to make use of the expertise lawfully offered that their programs are secure.

“In the long run, it might arrange a full system of distant driving regulation. Laws should reply to different basic considerations round safety threats and legal responsibility within the occasion of an accident.

“Our recommendation paper units out a highway map for a way the federal government can tackle these issues, while additionally encouraging corporations to innovate.”

The transport minister Jesse Norman stated: “Distant driving is already being efficiently used off-road in a number of industries and has enormous potential to offer new companies and security options for highway automobiles.

“The federal government wants to make sure that security is on the forefront of the usage of any new expertise, and the division will fastidiously think about the Legislation Fee’s suggestions.”

Final yr, the fee additionally really useful that customers of self-driving vehicles ought to have immunity from a variety of motoring offences, together with harmful driving, rushing and leaping purple lights.