How is Autonomous Driving Classified?

The Six Levels of Autonomy Defined by SAE and NHTSA

What is Autonomous Driving?

Since the advent of the internal combustion engine, driving has been an inherently human-centric activity—one that involves a driver controlling a vehicle through the steering wheel, gear shifts, accelerator, and brake pedals. Autonomous driving, however, shifts this paradigm. Instead of a driver actively maneuvering the vehicle, automation technology assists with driving—or in advanced cases, eliminates the need for human intervention altogether.

To provide a structured classification of autonomous driving, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States have established a six-level framework.

Level 0: No Automation

At this level, the human driver is fully responsible for all driving tasks, including steering, acceleration, braking, parking, and vehicle movement. No automation features are present.

Note: Certain driver assistance features—such as stability control, forward collision warnings, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warnings, and lane departure alerts—may momentarily assist the driver. However, since these systems do not actively "drive" the vehicle but only provide alerts or brief interventions, they still fall under Level 0 automation.

Level 1: Driver Assistance

At Level 1, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) provide minimal support to the driver. However, the system can either assist with steering or acceleration/deceleration, but not both simultaneously.

Example: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), a Level 1 feature, maintains a safe following distance from the car ahead without driver intervention. Lane-centering or lane-keeping assist functions also fall under Level 1. However, if both steering assistance and cruise control are active at the same time, the system is classified as Level 2.

Level 2: Partial Automation

At this stage, ADAS allows the vehicle to simultaneously control both steering and acceleration/deceleration under certain conditions. However, the driver must remain fully engaged and continuously monitor the road.

Examples:

  • Genesis, Hyundai, and Kia’s Highway Driving Assist (HDA): These systems actively steer, accelerate, and brake while requiring the driver to keep their hands on the wheel.
  • Ford’s BlueCruise and Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) Mode: Both fall under Level 2, as they offer enhanced automation but still necessitate driver supervision.

Level 3: Conditional Automation

At Level 3, an Autonomous Driving System (ADS) can take full control of the vehicle under specific conditions. However, the human driver must be ready to take over when requested by the system.

Examples:

  • Honda’s Traffic Jam Pilot: Honda became the world’s first automaker to introduce a Level 3 system with its Traffic Jam Pilot.
  • Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot (2021 S-Class & 2022 EQS): Mercedes is awaiting regulatory approval for its Level 3 Drive Pilot system.

Level 4: High Automation

At this stage, the ADS can handle all driving tasks in specific environments without requiring human attention. Unlike Level 3, passengers can relax—even sleep—while the vehicle drives itself.

Use Cases:

  • Future robotaxis and public transportation services will operate at Level 4, programmed to navigate between specific points.
  • However, Level 4 autonomy may have geofencing limitations and might deactivate in extreme weather conditions or other scenarios beyond its operational design.

Level 5: Full Automation

At the highest level, the ADS can fully operate the vehicle under all conditions, in all environments, and at all times. The human occupant is merely a passenger, with no need to intervene.

Key Features of Level 5 Vehicles:

  • No reliance on geofencing or weather conditions.
  • No human driver required—passengers simply enter their destination, and the vehicle does the rest.
  • The future of seamless, human-free mobility.

The Road to Full Autonomy

Autonomous driving technology is evolving rapidly, but full adoption remains years—if not decades—away due to technological, regulatory, and societal hurdles. While Level 2 systems like Tesla's FSD and Hyundai's HDA are already on the roads, true self-driving vehicles (Level 4 and beyond) are still in experimental phases.

Nevertheless, with ongoing advancements in AI, computing power, and sensor technology, the dream of a world where cars drive themselves is becoming more tangible than ever.

Would you trust an AI to take the wheel? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

P.S. If you're interested in diving deeper into autonomous vehicle technology, I highly recommend exploring Tesla's latest AI Day presentation:

Watch Tesla AI Day 2021

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About the Author: Drytree

About the Author: Drytree (Jaehoon Lee) I am a senior researcher specializing in deep tech startups, technology commercialization, and R&BD strategy at a national research institute in South Korea. With a deep curiosity about the rapid evolution of technology and its impact on society, I have been writing under the pen name Drytree since 2021, aiming to make complex technological trends more accessible and foster informed discussions on innovation and policy. My academic background is diverse, spanning Political Science (B.A.), International Politics (M.A.), and currently, a Ph.D. in Technology Management & Entrepreneurship . I have published 13 academic papers in domestic and international journals, covering topics such as patent analysis, technology security, and industrial policy . Books & Publications I have authored several books exploring technology, startups, and geopolitical implications of innovation , including: Elon Musk’s DOGE: The Dawn of a New Economic Exper...
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