영국의 레벨4 자율주행차 법제 정비 현황

The United Kingdom enacted the Automated Vehicles Act 2024, integrating the ‘approval–operation–enforcement’ of Level 4 and above autonomous vehicles into a single legal framework. This institutionally resolved key uncertainties (responsibility, safety standards, transition procedures, consumer protection, accident investigation) that had hindered commercialization. The 2024 Act introduces new liability entities: the Approved Self-Driving Entity (ASDE) and the Non-User-In-Control Operator (NUiCO). It mandates dual safety verification through type approval and operational approval for vehicles, codifies handover requirements and handover times, restricts marketing terminology, and establishes annual monitoring and independent accident investigation systems. These measures ensure Level 4 autonomous vehicles are designed to achieve safety levels exceeding those of human drivers. The UK’s AEVA 2018 remains in effect but primarily regulates Level 3 and below, focusing on existing auto insurance structures. A dual regulatory system has been established, with Level 4 and above to be governed by the 2024 Act. In contrast, South Korea remains at the pilot stage for Level 3-based autonomous buses and robotaxis. Recent amendments to the Automobile Management Act have established foundational infrastructure, including cyber security management system certification, software update regulations, and strengthened accident recorders and defect presumption. However, definitions, classifications, approval, and liability provisions remain scattered across multiple statutes, and dedicated governance legislation directly targeting Level 4 unmanned operation is insufficient. Accordingly, this paper proposes key tasks: unifying the definition and classification of autonomous vehicles; introducing a legal entity capable of concentrating liability in Level 4 segments, such as ASDE and NUiCO, while exempting passengers; establishing detailed regulations on transition procedures between autonomous functions and human control; strengthening consumer protection through marketing regulations; establishing a permanent supervision, enforcement, and investigation system; and supplementing civil compensation and insurance frameworks. In the short term, it is necessary to integrate and unify definitions and classification regulations scattered across various statutes, establish integrated definitions/classifications and transition standards, develop marketing guidelines, and prepare a Level 4 safety appendix. In the medium term, introducing a liability entity referencing ASDE and NUiCO, implementing an unmanned approval system, establishing independent accident investigations, and building data protocols between insurers and manufacturers are required. This will enable the phased introduction of Automated Passenger Services (APS) using Level 4 vehicles tailored to urban, tourism, and rural demands, while fostering the co-growth of the manufacturer-insurer-platform ecosystem through safety-based performance management. In conclusion, the UK’s 2024 Act, as an autonomous vehicle operational legal framework enabling Level 4 commercialization through ‘redesigning liability structures and refining approvals and enforcement,’ provides insights for refining our legal system. By referencing this and refining Level 4 legislation, we can support the advancement of autonomous vehicle manufacturing technology and the establishment of an operational service ecosystem.