The Milli Majlis (National Assembly) of the Republic of Azerbaijan has adopted a new law in its final reading, establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for the operation of autonomous vehicles across all transport sectors, including automotive, rail, metro, tram, maritime, and aviation.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the legislative package introduces amendments to several key laws, including the Merchant Shipping Code, and the laws on "Road Traffic," "Transport," "State Duty," "Automotive Transport," and "Aviation." These changes were discussed during today's session of the parliament's extraordinary session.
The primary objective of this legislation is to create the necessary normative, legal, technological, and institutional infrastructure for the deployment of autonomous transport. The initiative aligns with the "Action Plan for 2026–2028 on Accelerating Digital Development," approved by the President of Azerbaijan on February 27, 2026, which mandates the establishment of a legal framework for autonomous systems based on international best practices.
The law introduces critical legal definitions such as "autonomous vehicle," "operator," and "remote control center," while establishing high and fully automated driving standards. Key provisions include:
- Operational Requirements: Autonomous vehicles must be state-registered and operated only in designated areas authorized by relevant government agencies.
- Operator Licensing: Legal and physical entities must obtain a certificate to act as operators. This certificate is valid for five years, with a state duty of 20 AZN.
- Safety and Oversight: Operators are required to monitor automated systems, intervene in case of danger, maintain data security, and immediately report any accidents or incidents to state authorities.
- Data Management: Remote control centers must transmit operational data to state information systems in real-time, with operators required to store this data for six months.
- Liability and Insurance: The law clarifies the distribution of liability among vehicle owners, operators, and manufacturers in the event of accidents or damages, and specifies insurance requirements.
- Identification: A special "Autonomous Vehicle" recognition sign will be introduced for road vehicles.
Furthermore, the legislation adds civil-purpose autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to the list of items requiring special permits for circulation. This legislative step marks a significant milestone in Azerbaijan's commitment to integrating advanced digital technologies into its national infrastructure, positioning the country to adopt modern, AI-driven transport solutions safely and efficiently.
