China Issues 16,000 Test Licenses for Autonomous Vehicles

China Issues 16,000 Test Licenses for Autonomous Vehicles

Chinese public security authorities have issued 16,000 test licenses for autonomous vehicles, the Ministry of Public Security announced on Tuesday, signaling a significant push in the development of autonomous driving technology.

Speaking at a news conference in Beijing, senior ministry official Wang Qiang revealed that 32,000 kilometers of roads across China have been opened for autonomous vehicle testing. These efforts, he said, are part of a larger initiative to boost the industry, with the ministry collaborating with other relevant bodies such as the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Transport.

In recent years, laws and regulations concerning autonomous vehicles have been formulated or updated to cover areas like road testing, registration, and traffic safety liability.

Wang emphasized that the ministry remains committed to further promoting autonomous driving and the broader advancement of China’s automotive sector.

The news conference also showcased reform measures aimed at improving traffic management, including streamlined services for issuing licenses and handling traffic accidents. According to ministry data, 250 million digital driver’s licenses have been issued nationwide, with a pilot program for digital vehicle licenses now running in 60 cities, including Beijing, benefiting over 22 million vehicle owners.