Part 1: Regulatory scheme for automated vehicles Chapter 1: Authorisation of road vehicles for automated use Section 8: Power to vary, suspend or withdraw
This section provides the Secretary of State with powers to vary, suspend, or withdraw an authorisation. These powers may be exercised with the agreement of the ASDE (subsection (1)), and it is anticipated that this will be the usual course of events, subject to certain exceptions. The powers may also be exercised without the agreement of the self-driving entity, under specified circumstances where a unilateral ground for variation, suspension or withdrawal is satisfied (subsection (2)). These unilateral grounds are: where an authorisation requirement has not been met; where a vehicle has committed a traffic infraction; or where a vehicle no longer meets the self-driving test (subsection (4)). The Secretary of State may also suspend or temporarily vary authorisation where it is suspected that a unilateral ground has arisen and an inquiry is needed to determine if it has (subsection 3). The powers under subsections (2) and (3) are subject to procedural notification requirements set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Act, except in cases where urgency requires an immediate variation, suspension or withdrawal, in which case other procedural requirements apply (subsection 7). Subsections (5) and (6) are self-explanatory.
	A variation might be used to amend authorisation conditions, for example extending the locations where a self-driving feature has been authorised under section 4(3)(c) to be used. Suspension might be used in the event of a serious incident and might apply for a fixed or indefinite period of time – for example until investigations concluded whether continued operation of the vehicles was safe. Suspension might also be used where an ASDE is no longer fit and proper, for example they no longer satisfy the financial standing requirement, and might apply until the breach of the relevant requirement has been remedied. Note that a vehicle with a user-in-charge feature (i.e. a vehicle which can also be driven conventionally), and for which authorisation is suspended, could still be driven as a conventional vehicle by a human driver. Withdrawal of authorisation may be appropriate where, for example, a vehicle has been decommissioned.