You can download a DRM-free copy of this standard here.
What is PAS 1881:2026 about?
As automated vehicle technologies continue to develop, there is an increasing demand to test and deploy such systems on the UK road network and private land. Both government and industry have invested heavily in this area, and the UK government remains committed to ensuring that automated vehicle trials and ongoing technology testing are carried out safely and securely.
PAS 1881:2026 supports this commitment by creating a standardized, consistent approach to safety case development. It encourages safety to be prioritized during technology development, trials, and testing.
What does the standard cover?
The standard specifies requirements for operational safety cases and the supporting safety management system for automated vehicle tests and trials in the UK. It applies where the vehicle and its surroundings are being continuously monitored by a safety driver or safety operator located within the vehicle, who has the capability to intervene in the performance of the driving task immediately.
It covers the development and maintenance of an operational safety case to demonstrate that:
- the risks to all affected parties throughout the operation of automated vehicles are reduced to be as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP),
- and that the test or trial does not present any unreasonable risks.
The standard includes:
- Operational safety case requirements and contents.
- Safety management systems.
- Legislative and good practice framework underpinning the operational safety case.
- Operational safety case development and case studies.
The standard also covers assurance of overrides for the automated driving system (ADS), to enable safety drivers or operators to intervene in the driving task appropriately when required, including in emergency scenarios and proactive takeovers, such that they are able to be relied upon as a safety mitigation.
Who is the specification for?
The specification is intended for use by trialling organizations, including private developers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and operators, who are developing safety cases for automated vehicle testing or trials.
This PAS might be of interest to any organization that utilizes or develops an ADS. It might also be of use to road authorities, local authorities, test beds, service operators, vehicle agencies, and insurers.
This is a full revision of the PAS and introduces the following principal changes:
- Requirements for conducting route assessments to inform the risk assessment.
- Additional requirements relating to assurance and documentation of modifications to the base vehicle.
- Additional requirements relating to how operational safety cases are reviewed and approved.
- Additional requirements for the development, implementation, and review of safety management systems.
- A methodology for prioritization of responses to incidents and near misses.
- Requirements for assuring the robustness and adequate design of any controls to override the automated driving system.
- Additional requirements relating to insurance.
Download a free copy of the standard here >
PAS 1881 is part of the wider Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) Standards programme, led by BSI and supported by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV). You can find out more about the programme here.