Understanding 6 Levels of Autonomous Driving: From Level 0 to 5

Technology

May 14, 2025

Suzuki R&D Center India

Autonomous driving is a technology that allows vehicles to operate & navigate on roads without human intervention, using sensors, cameras, and advanced algorithms. It helps cars detect surroundings, make real-time decisions, follow traffic rules, & respond safely to unexpected situations, improving road safety and driving efficiency.

The practical application of this technology is reflected in the different levels of autonomous vehicles, which indicate how much control the driver shares with the car, ranging from basic assistance to full self-driving. Defined under the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) framework, these 5 levels of autonomous driving, from Autonomous Level 0 to Level 5, show the progression from no automation to complete vehicle autonomy.

The 6 Different Levels of Autonomous Driving Levels Stages

Level	Name	Driver's Role	System's Role	Examples
Level 0	No Driving Automation	The driver does everything from steering, braking, acceleration, etc.	The system provides only brief help in emergencies, like automatic emergency braking	Fully manual control with limited driver-assist features
Level 1	Driver Assistance	The driver drives but gets help from one system (either steering or acceleration/braking).	Controls either steering or speed at a time, not both together.	Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane-Keeping Assist
Level 2	Partial Driving Automation	The driver must stay alert & ready to take control anytime, even if hands are off the wheel.	Controls both steering and speed together in limited conditions, like highways.	Vehicles that can steer & control speed on their own for short periods
Level 3	Conditional Driving Automation	The driver can take their eyes off the road for short periods but must be ready to take over when the system asks.	Can drive fully under specific conditions (e.g., traffic jams), & alerts the driver when it can’t handle something.	Cars that can handle traffic jams automatically but ask for driver control when needed.
Autonomous Level 4	High Driving Automation	The driver doesn’t need to drive within certain areas (like mapped cities). Can still override the system if needed.	Can handle all driving tasks in a geofenced area. If the driver doesn’t respond, it can safely stop on its own.	Self-driving taxis or shuttles operating within specific city zones.
Autonomous Level 5	Full Driving Automation	No human driver needed. Level 5 autonomous car drives itself everywhere.	Fully autonomous, can drive on any road, weather, or traffic condition. Usually has no steering wheel or pedals.	This autonomous level is still in the testing phase, not yet available publicly.

Regulations & Challenges Of 5 levels of Autonomous Driving

Autonomous driving technology is developing quickly, but rules for how these self-driving cars should be used are still being created.

Key Legal & Safety Challenges

Liability (Responsibility for Accidents):

When an autonomous car has an accident, it's unclear who is at fault.

Is it the car company that made the vehicle?
Is it the company that created the car's software?
Is it the person who is sitting in the car (if there is one)?

Deciding who is responsible is a big problem. This issue is very important because it affects things like insurance & legal responsibility (who gets punished if something goes wrong).

a. Safety Standards

Self-driving cars must be very safe to drive on the road. This means they need to be able to handle both everyday driving & emergencies. These cars need to go through stringent tests to ensure they work well in controlled places (like special test tracks) & real life (on actual roads). If they pass these tests, then they are allowed to drive on public roads.

b. Cybersecurity

Driverless vehicles depend heavily on sensors & software. This makes them targets for cyberattacks.

Hence, it is important to protect your vehicle against unauthorised access, data theft, or manipulation.

Regular software updates & secure communication systems are part of strong level 5 automation measures.

c. Infrastructure Compatibility

In many places, road & traffic systems are not yet ready for autonomous cars. To accommodate AVs, significant upgrades are necessary, including enhanced roadway designs, smart traffic signals, and robust digital infrastructure. Collaboration between government bodies and automotive manufacturers is essential to modernize infrastructure, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of AVs.

Ethical Issues & Public Concerns

Ethical Dilemmas

Autonomous cars, or self-driving cars, have to make decisions quickly, especially in situations where accidents can't be avoided. One of the big questions is: Who should the car protect in these situations?

For example, if the car is about to crash, should it prioritize saving the person inside the car, or should it try to protect pedestrians, even if that means the person in the car might get hurt?

This is a tough moral problem because it involves making life-or-death decisions. There isn't a clear answer, and different people have different opinions on what the car should do.

These are tricky questions that experts are still trying to figure out.

Autonomous cars can withstand tough moral problems. For example, if an accident is inevitable, how should the car decide who is injured? Will it protect the person in the car or save the lives of pedestrians? These are difficult questions that experts are still trying to figure out.

Trust & Public Perception

Even though autonomous driving levels can reduce human errors. But accidents involving self-driving cars have made people cautious.

Building public trust is essential before we see widespread adoption of autonomous cars Level 5.

Job Losses

Autonomous cars could take away jobs in areas like trucking, taxi services, & delivery. Many people are worried about losing their jobs because of this technology. The government needs to find ways to support these workers. They need to offer training for new jobs and create new work opportunities in the car manufacturing industry.

The Future Projections of Autonomous Driving Level

When Will Autonomous Cars Become Common?

Fully Level 5 autonomous cars are still being tested, but Level 2 & Level 3 cars are already available in some regions. Over the next decade, as technology improves & laws adapt, autonomous vehicle levels will continue progressing toward full automation.

Impact on Urban Mobility

Autonomous driving stages will change how people move in cities. It will reduce traffic, cut down accidents, & make transport accessible for elderly and disabled people. Public transport with autonomous drive levels could become more flexible and efficient.

New Technologies Powering Autonomous Cars

Future cars will rely on advanced radars, AI-driven cameras, & sensors to improve accuracy. These systems will enable autonomous vehicle level 5 performance, where vehicles communicate with each other & traffic systems for smoother, safer travel.

Conclusion

Autonomous driving technology is divided into six driving levels, from Level 0 to Level 5 autonomous vehicles. Each level shows how much control the car takes from the driver. As autonomous drive levels advance, driving will become safer, faster, & more convenient.

While Level 5 automation holds great promise! Still, challenges like regulation, safety, & public trust must be solved. Once addressed, Level 5 autonomous driving could transform the way the world travels, making roads safer & cities smarter.