Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many licences for testing self-driving cars have been given to (a) Baidu and (b) other automotive companies partnered with Chinese providers.

Trials of automated vehicles must be undertaken in line with the requirements set out in the Automated Vehicle Trialling Code of Practice. Trialling organisations must have a safety driver monitoring both the road traffic environment and vehicle systems so that they may resume proper control if necessary.

The Code should be used by trialling organisations in conjunction with detailed knowledge of the legal, regulatory and technological landscape, ensuring they are compliant with all relevant UK law.

To trial vehicles without a safety driver, companies must obtain an exemption from existing regulations through a Vehicle Special Order. And in order to operate a passenger carrying service, companies are also expected to obtain an Automated Passenger Services permit.

Should a company submit an application to operate a without a safety driver, the Department would conduct an extensive safety and security assessment which would include scrutiny of operational resilience and data management.