Jobless Wheels, Lawless Roads?: Legal Challenges of Autonomous Vehicles in India

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are poised to redefine transportation globally, offering the promise of safer roads, reduced congestion, and technological advancement. However, in India, the journey toward autonomous mobility is fraught with unique legal, regulatory, and socio-economic challenges. While other countries are actively developing legal frameworks to accommodate AVs, India’s legal system remains rooted in conventional fault-based liability models that are ill-equipped to address the complexities of machine decision-making, data-driven navigation, and algorithmic accountability. This paper examines the current state of Indian law regarding motor vehicles, product liability, and consumer protection in the context of AVs. It highlights the inadequacy of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (as amended), and the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, in determining responsibility in AV-related accidents. Furthermore, the role of artificial intelligence in decision-making raises pressing questions about accountability, transparency, and the need for access to driving data and algorithms. A distinctive concern in India is the socio-political resistance to AV adoption due to potential job loss. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has publicly opposed driverless cars, estimating that 70–80 lakh professional drivers could lose employment. This resistance exemplifies the broader tension between technological progress and labor rights. Drawing from international experiences in the UK, Germany, and the USA, this paper proposes a nuanced regulatory approach that balances innovation with accountability, safety, and employment preservation. Legal reform, data governance, and inclusive policymaking are essential to ensure that India does not fall behind in the global mobility revolution.