SAE Levels Of Driving Automation
The SAE levels describe driving automation from level 0 (no automation) to level 5 (full automation).
What is SAE Levels Of Driving Automation?
Levels 1 and 2 assist the driver, who must supervise. Level 3 lets the car drive in certain conditions. Levels 4 and 5 need no driver in defined areas or anywhere. The levels were defined by SAE International in its J3016 standard and are widely used by manufacturers and regulators. At level 3, the driver may take their eyes off the road in approved situations but must take over when asked. Approval of level 3 systems is limited to certain countries, roads and speeds.
How it works
The levels classify who performs the driving task.
Why it matters for your car
Most cars today offer level 2. Marketing names can be misleading.
Other terms
- Blocking Fee (Idle Fee)
- Brake Disc Runout
- CNG (Compressed Natural Gas)
- Cruise Control
- DPF Ash Loading
- Idler Pulley
- Intake Air Temperature Sensor
- Knock Control
- LFP Battery (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
- Load Cover (Parcel Shelf Or Tonneau Cover)
- Load Index
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
- OBD Mode 6 Data (On-board Test Results)
- Panel Van
- Seatbelt (Safety Belt)
- Sequential Turbocharging
- Steer-by-wire
- Total Loss (Write-off)
- Two-Second Rule (Following Distance)
- Tyre Pressure Gauge