Chongqing Introduces New Rules for Highway Testing of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, Mandating 10,000 km Safety Mileage for Level 4 Autonomy

The Chongqing Municipal Commission of Economy and Information, jointly with the Municipal Public Security Bureau and the Municipal Transport Commission, has issued the "Interim Detailed Rules for Highway Testing Management of Intelligent Connected Vehicles in Chongqing Municipality," aiming to standardize testing management for Level 3 (L3) and above intelligent connected vehicles in highway scenarios. Testing entities must formulate test evaluation protocols, risk contingency plans, and safety management systems specifically tailored to highway scenarios and obtain approval through third-party review before submitting applications. Test vehicles include passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and specialized work vehicles. Different safety mileage requirements apply based on automation levels: for L3 vehicles, the cumulative mileage across the same batch must be no less than 2,000 kilometers, with each individual vehicle covering at least 200 kilometers; for L4 and above, each vehicle must accumulate at least 10,000 kilometers. All vehicles must complete prerequisite testing—including simulation, closed-course, and urban road tests—and submit comprehensive test reports. Testing follows a three-phase progressive approach, initially conducted with lead and follow safety vehicles and gradually transitioning to independent operation without safety vehicles, to validate the reliability of highway autonomous driving. Test drivers must receive no less than 20 hours of specialized hands-on training focused on highway scenarios and emergency takeover procedures.