Policy development Part 2 and Schedule 3: Criminal liability for vehicle use Chapter 1: Legal position of the user in charge
Chapter 1 provides that, in certain circumstances where an authorised automated feature is engaged, an individual in the vehicle and in a position to operate the driving controls (referred to as a "user-in-charge", or UiC) may claim an immunity for offences arising from the way the vehicle is driven.
	If a self-driving feature requires a responsible human inside the vehicle (e.g. because it can only complete part of a journey such as for a motorway chauffeur system), that human is the driver while the feature is disengaged and becomes a UiC when the self-driving feature is engaged. The UiC is not responsible for the way the self-driving vehicle drives when the feature is engaged.
	The UiC must however be qualified and fit to drive, and in a position to exercise control. The UiC also retains responsibilities not associated with dynamically controlling the vehicle and may be called on to take over driving if the self-driving feature issues a transition demand – and may have to drive for part of the journey to reach their destination.
	While the self-driving feature is engaged, the UiC is not responsible for dynamic driving. They do not control the vehicle through steering, accelerating or braking, and do not need to monitor the driving environment. They have express immunity from the most serious road traffic offences (subsections 1 to 3A of the Road Traffic Act 1988). They are not responsible for signals and lighting. The immunity ensures that the user-in-charge cannot be held liable for criminal offences which arise from self-driving activities.
	However, a UiC does retain other driver responsibilities not linked to the manner of driving. For example, to ensure that the vehicle has appropriate insurance, check that any load is secure, ensure roadworthiness, and ensure that any children in the vehicle are wearing their seatbelts. Other examples of UiC responsibilities in the chapter include offences relating to parking, and payment of tolls and charges.
	A UiC should remain able to retake dynamic driving control, for example they must be awake and in the driving seat. Mobile phone use remains prohibited.