However, the Department also set out that autonomous vehicle technology would need to be capable of safely operating using existing highway infrastructure and so does not expect to make any immediate changes to road maintenance practices. The Department told us that government 75 Qq 21, 27, 93; C&AG’s Report, Figure 12 76 Q 94 77 Qq 84, 88 78 Qq 86 - 89; Written evidence, submitted by the Department for Transport dated 5 December 2024, ‘Local roads – Autonomous Vehicles’ 19 expects to set out statutory guidance on autonomous vehicles in the second half of 2027, as part of laying secondary legislation covering the main autonomous vehicle regulations. 79 79 Qq 86–89; Written evidence, submitted by the Department for Transport dated 5 December 2024, ‘Local roads – Autonomous Vehicles’ 20