Questions regarding the granting of type approvals for the subsequent activation of automated / fully automated driving functions should be directed to af@kba.de

If a catalogue of requirements has already been published for the intended automated / fully automated driving function, to get in contact is not mandatory prior to the application, but it is recommended for early clarification of open questions.

If the KBA has not yet published any technical requirements (catalogue of requirements) for the intended automated / fully automated driving function, it is necessary to contact the KBA at an early stage, as in these cases the KBA must first take the lead in developing and publishing the corresponding catalogue of requirements prior to granting an approval for the subsequent activation of an automated / fully automated driving function.

If a meeting between the manufacturer and the KBA is desired prior to the application, the manufacturer will typically present the automated / fully automated driving function, followed by a discussion to clarify open questions between the manufacturer and the KBA. Depending on the complexity of the project, one to two hours should be planned for this meeting.

If the KBA has not yet published any technical requirements (catalogue of requirements) for the intended automated / fully automated driving function, it might be necessary to hold more than one meeting.

The application for a type approval for the subsequent activation of an automated / fully automated driving function must be submitted by the manufacturer of the vehicle.

An application form for granting of a type approval for the subsequent activation of an automated / fully automated driving function can be downloaded in the download area.

Process for granting an approval for the subsequent activation of an automated / fully automated driving functionPDF, 37KB, File does not meet accessibility standards

Please refer to the respective catalogue of requirements for the documents which are required for an approval for the subsequent activation of an automated / fully automated driving function.

In case the applicant does not yet have a completed initial assessment, this procedure must also be carried out. Please note that the quality management requirements of the initial assessment (report on CoP) have been supplemented by an additional module for automated / fully automated driving.

It is generally not possible to indicate the processing time for the granting of an approval for the subsequent activation of an automated / fully automated driving function.

For the purpose of an easy and secure transfer of large files, our server-based document exchange system E-Typ is available.

Detailed information on the E-Typ transmission procedure

Other already established document exchange systems can still be used.

The availability of a published catalogue of requirements is mandatory for the approval for the subsequent activation of an automated / fully automated driving function.

The work on technical requirements for the subsequent activation of automated / fully automated driving functions that are not yet covered by a published catalogue of requirements, can start after the manufacturer has contacted the KBA and presented the targeted driving function. The KBA is responsible for developing and publishing the technical requirements.

In the context of the subsequent activation of automated / fully automated driving functions no approval of an operating area within the meaning of § 8 of the “Verordnung zur Genehmigung und zum Betrieb von Kraftfahrzeugen mit autonomer Fahrfunktion in festgelegten Betriebsbereichen (AFGBV)” is designated.

However, the use of the driving function can be restricted to an intended area of application via the respective catalogue of requirements and this can be part of the approval.

The activation of an automated / fully automated driving function in a registered motor vehicle is defined as the enabling of the corresponding driving function (e.g. through an additional OTA software update) and the provision of this driving function to the vehicle owner by the manufacturer. It is explicitly not defined as the use (activation) of the driving function by the owner.

The “subsequent” activation refers to the time of the registration of the corresponding vehicle, before which the automated / fully automated driving function may not be present in the vehicle or available to the vehicle owner.

There are no restrictions regarding the method of activating the automated / fully automated driving function.

In context of granting an approval for the subsequent activation of an automated / fully automated driving function, there will be no approval issued for the whole vehicle, but for the automated / fully automated driving function only.