No, with the entry into force of the “Verordnung zur Genehmigung und zum Betrieb von Kraftfahrzeugen mit autonomer Fahrfunktion in festgelegten Betriebsbereichen (AFGBV)” and at the end of a 6-month transitional period, the KBA is responsible for granting testing approvals for vehicles with an automated or fully automated driving function (level 3 and level 4). For testing approvals of driver assistance systems (level 2 and lower), please contact the responsible federal state authority.

The application for a testing approval must be submitted by the owner of the vehicle.

A development concept and a completely filled information document for the automated / fully automated driving function must be submitted with the application for a testing approval. Further information on the development concept can be found here.

In the event that the KBA does not yet have any data on the applicant, the "Initial Data" form has to be submitted additionally. The "Initial Data" form and the information document form can be downloaded from the download area.

The costs for granting of a type approval by the KBA depends on the processing effort and can generally be found in the “Gebührenordnung für Maßnahmen im Straßenverkehr (GebOSt)”.

The only contact for the applicant is the KBA. However, the KBA involves the “Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik (BSI)” according to the StVG as well as the federal state authority(ies) locally responsible for the intended testing area or, in the case that the testing area includes national highways, the Autobahn GmbH.

Within the scope of a testing approval, it must be possible to override and to deactivate the vehicle and its automated / fully automated driving function. For this purpose, the technical supervisor does not necessarily have to be in the vehicle, but must maintain visual contact with the test vehicle at all times, or restore visual contact immediately in the event of loss, and must not move further away from the vehicle than absolutely necessary.

If a technical supervisor outside the vehicle is provided for in the development concept, a safety concept for permanent monitoring of the radio link to the vehicle and the existence of visual contact must be submitted to the KBA.

The requirements for the natural person appointed as technical supervisor specified in § 14 of the “Verordnung zur Genehmigung und zum Betrieb von Kraftfahrzeugen mit autonomer Fahrfunktion in festgelegten Betriebsbereichen (AFGBV)” also apply in principle within the scope of the testing approval.

The vehicle operator must be reliable, in terms of technical developments for motor vehicle traffic.

In the event of an intervention, the usual rules of road traffic law apply to the vehicle operator (e.g. StVO).

The issuance of a testing approval for automated or fully automated driving functions is only possible on the basis of vehicles that have an individual or type approval.

The issuance of a testing approval for automated or fully automated driving functions requires mandatory modifications after the issuance of the individual or type approval in order to equip the vehicle with automated or autonomous driving functions.

No, an issued testing approval always relates to a specific test vehicle. If, for example, several vehicles are to take part in the testing, additional approvals must be applied for accordingly.

A testing approval is always limited in time. The duration of the validity of the testing approval depends on the development concept and, as a rule, may not exceed a maximum period of four years. If the conditions for issuing the approval continue to apply and the progress of the testing to date does not conflict with this, the approval may be extended for two years at a time.

Pursuant to Section § 16 (1) AFGBV, a testing approval is intended for the technical testing of vehicle systems or parts and their development stages for the development of automated or fully automated driving functions.

If passenger transportation is planned as part of the testing, the development concept must describe in detail to what extent passenger transport in public road traffic is necessary for the technical development of the vehicle or the driving function and the presence of passengers must be considered in the submitted safety concept. Possible requirements of other regulations (e.g. Personenbeförderungsgesetz (PBefG)) associated with passenger transportation are not covered by the testing approval and must be considered separately by the vehicle holder.