Currently, the cumulative number of test licenses issued nationwide exceeds 16,000.
The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) recently issued an announcement, conditionally approving the L3 conditional automated driving vehicle products submitted by two companies: Changan Automobile and BAIC ARCFOX.
However, prior to this, many automakers in the industry have claimed to have obtained “L3 test licenses,” and the two types of permits are often confused. BAIC Group has provided an explanation, stating that the two are “not on the same level.”
In the advancement of L3 automated driving, the nature of these two official permits is fundamentally different. One is the “Road Test License,” issued by local relevant authorities; the other is the “Product Market Access Permit” issued this time by national ministries.
BAIC Group used an analogy to illustrate the difference: a test license is like an “exam permit,” only allowing R&D test vehicles to conduct technical verification on designated road sections. Currently, the cumulative number of such licenses issued nationwide exceeds 16,000.
The product market access permit, on the other hand, is equivalent to a “graduation certificate.” It signifies that mass-produced commercial vehicles have obtained the qualification for market sales under specific conditions, representing a national-level certification. Its core breakthrough is that, under the specific conditions where the function is activated, the subject of accident liability shifts from the driver to the automobile production enterprise.
A simple comparison of the differences between the two types of permits:
| Category | Road Test Permit | Vehicle Product Market Access Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Local Level | National Level |
| Granting Authority | Offices of various local demonstration zones | Relevant National Ministries |
| Vehicle Attribute | R&D Test Vehicle | Mass-produced Commercial Vehicle |
| License Plate Attribute | Temporary Test Plate | Formal Road-going Metal License Plate |
| Purpose | Allows L3 vehicles on road for R&D testing | Allows L3 vehicles to be marketed, sold, and operated on roads |
| Valid Area | Partial road sections in specific demonstration zones | Partially restricted during the pilot period |
| Current Status | Over 16,000 cumulatively issued nationwide as of now | BAIC and Changan are the first to obtain the permit |
Simply put, obtaining market access permission means the vehicle has passed far more stringent assessments than the testing phase. Enterprises need to complete multiple rounds of testing and safety evaluations, proving that their automated driving system is reliable, safe, and compliant within its design operational domain.
With the first batch of L3 vehicles approved for road pilot programs, the exploration of commercialized operations for automated driving will also commence simultaneously. For example, BAIC plans to initiate operations in specific scenarios in the first quarter of 2026.
Outside the first batch of market access permit holders, numerous automakers have already accumulated extensive road testing experience through “test licenses.” Over 3,500 kilometers of test roads have been opened nationwide, providing a foundation for technological iteration. Automakers like BYD are also conducting mass-production internal testing for L3 automated driving.
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