Shafaqna English– On Thursday(10 Sep 2026), Uber Technologies and WeRide jointly announced that Spanish authorities have granted the first-ever national permits allowing WeRide’s autonomous vehicles to be tested on public roads.
This represents a landmark regulatory development, as it marks the first time Spain has issued permits at the national level for autonomous vehicle testing, rather than limiting approvals to specific regions or cities. This move signals Spain’s willingness to embrace autonomous driving technology and could pave the way for broader deployment in the future.
The companies stated that they intend to launch commercial autonomous vehicle services in Madrid by the end of the year. However, this timeline is conditional upon meeting specific operational and regulatory milestones, meaning that the launch could be delayed or adjusted depending on how quickly those requirements are fulfilled.
This cautious approach reflects the complex regulatory environment surrounding autonomous vehicles and the need to ensure safety and compliance before commercial deployment.
Source: Reuters