What Is an Autonomous Vehicle?

By Cody Uhing, Director of Communications, Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association

As interest in autonomous vehicles (AVs) continues to grow, so does the confusion about what “autonomous” really means. With new vehicle technologies entering the market, it’s important for the public to understand the difference between AVs and driver-assist technology.

Autonomous vehicles are not simply cars with driver-assist features. AVs are vehicles equipped with an automated driving system (ADS) capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task without human input. These systems are classified by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) as Level 4 or Level 5 automation:

- Level 4 AVs operate within a defined geographic area or set of conditions—known as their Operational Design Domain (ODD)—and can drive without human intervention, even if no one is behind the wheel.

- Level 5 AVs can operate under all conditions a human driver could navigate, with no steering wheel or pedals required.

Both levels represent fully autonomous capabilities, meaning the vehicle does the driving. People inside are passengers, not drivers.

Not all advanced vehicle technologies are properly termed “autonomous.” Features like lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, or emergency braking still require a human driver to stay engaged and ready to take over at any moment. Similarly, vehicles that rely on remote human operation rather than onboard autonomy are not considered AVs. These systems do not meet the threshold for Level 4 or Level 5 automation, where the vehicle performs the entire driving task without human input. 

Before operating on public roads, AVs undergo extensive testing in simulation, on closed tracks, and under real-world conditions. These vehicles are equipped with a sophisticated sensor suite that gives them a 360-degree view of their environment, and they are designed to follow traffic laws, respond to emergencies, and navigate complex environments—without distraction, fatigue, or impairment.

Autonomous trucks and passenger vehicles have now safely driven more than 145 million miles on public roads in the U.S., with deployments in cities and states including Texas, Arizona, California, and New Mexico. This figure has more than doubled in the last year. As the technology matures, AVs have the potential to save lives, reduce congestion, improve mobility, and strengthen supply chains.

The Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association (AVIA) encourages accurate reporting and public understanding of AV technology. Not all new driving technologies are autonomous, and driver-assist systems are not substitutes for AVs. Understanding the difference is critical for safety, for public confidence, and for policy decisions at every level.