The current state of legal regulation of unmanned vehicles at the international and national levels

Roza Akshalova, Beibarys Aubakirov, Zhanna Turkistanovna Iskakova

2026

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DOI 10.32523/2791-0954-2026-18-2-70-89
Data confidence 70 medium
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Abstract

Gaps in international legal regulation of autonomous vehicles (vehicles that operate automatically using artificial intelligence (hereinafter referred to as AI), radar, lidar, mobile data, and other sensors) pose a serious obstacle to the development of this technologically advanced and potentially safe mode of transport. The authors believe that the lack of international legal regulation of autonomous driving technology is one of the main problems in this area. This creates legal uncertainty for manufacturers and complicates the development of safety and liability standards. Moreover, current laws in many countries are not adapted to regulate new technologies, such as autonomous vehicles. This further complicates the certification and registration process for such vehicles. The authors also examine issues of privacy and data protection, as well as the resulting ethical dilemmas related to autonomous systems making decisions in extreme situations. All of these factors are leading to a slower pace of adoption and increased use of autonomous vehicles. Therefore, it is crucial for legislators and governments to take a comprehensive approach to addressing these issues. This article examines the current state of legal regulation for the use of driverless vehicles as a key aspect of AI technology development. The authors focused on analyzing international documents, Kazakhstani legislation, and the experience of foreign countries in this area. In conclusion, the authors conclude that the development of legal regulation in this area plays a key role in the successful integration of driverless vehicles into urban infrastructure.