WeRide Secures Level-4 Driverless Permit in France

WeRide Inc. has obtained France's Level-4 driverless public road testing and operating permit, making it the first technology company to hold driverless permits across five countries: China, the UAE, Singapore, France, and the U.S. announced in a press release. This achievement highlights WeRide's capability to adapt to diverse regulatory frameworks.

The permit was acquired in partnership with the French autonomous mobility network operator beti. Under the 2019 PACTE law, obtaining such a permit in France involves approval from multiple government agencies, including the Directorate General for Energy and Climate, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of Ecological Transition. WeRide and beti completed this process in a record three months.

With this permit, WeRide's autonomous minibus can operate at speeds up to 40 km/h, the highest-speed driverless permit issued in France to date. This regulatory backing supports WeRide's ongoing projects, including the commercial autonomous minibus service launched in Valence, Drôme, France, in collaboration with beti, Renault Group, and Macif.