What do the levels of self-driving mean?
Self-driving is graded on six levels, from 0 (you do everything) to 5 (the car drives anywhere by itself). The big line is between Level 2, where you must supervise, and Level 3 and up, where the system is driving.
Updated September 24, 2026
"Self-driving" covers everything from lane-keeping to cars with no one behind the wheel. To keep it straight, the industry uses six levels of driving automation, defined in the J3016 standard from SAE International, first published in 2014.
The six levels
| Level | The car does | You do |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Nothing (warnings at most) | All the driving |
| 1 | Steering or speed, in some situations | Everything else |
| 2 | Steering and speed, in some situations | Watch the road constantly, ready to take over |
| 3 | All the driving, in specific conditions | Take over when the system asks |
| 4 | All the driving within a defined area, and it can stop safely on its own | Nothing, inside that area |
| 5 | All the driving, everywhere, in all conditions | Nothing |
The line that matters
The key jump is between Level 2 and Level 3. Up to Level 2, you are driving: the system only assists, and you must supervise it continuously. From Level 3, the system is driving within its limits, and responsibility shifts accordingly.
Real examples
- Level 2: Tesla Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised), GM Super Cruise
- Level 3: Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot, in approved conditions
- Level 4: Waymo's driverless robotaxis, within their service areas
No Level 5 system exists yet.
Quick questions
Is Tesla Full Self-Driving a self-driving car?
Not in the fully driverless sense. Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised) are Level 2 systems, which means the driver must keep watching the road and be ready to take over at all times.
What is the difference between Level 2 and Level 3?
Responsibility. At Level 2 the human is always driving and supervising. At Level 3 the system drives in certain conditions, and the human only has to take over when the system asks.
Are there Level 5 cars today?
No. Level 5 means driving anywhere under all conditions with no human needed. Today's most advanced services, such as Waymo's robotaxis, are Level 4: driverless, but only within defined areas.
Sources: Wikipedia: Self-driving car (SAE levels), SAE International: J3016 standard