Momenta Secures Nationwide L4 Autonomous Driving Test Permit in Germany

Chinese autonomous driving company Momenta has received approval from Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) to conduct Level 4 autonomous vehicle testing on urban roads across the entire country. Unlike previous city-specific approvals, the nationwide permit allows Momenta to streamline safety testing and align its technology with European Union regulatory standards. The milestone follows Momenta’s expanding global footprint, including a strategic partnership and dual equity investment from Uber, as well as ongoing Robotaxi testing across cities in China, Germany, and the UAE.

Securing nationwide L4 testing clearance from Germany’s transport authority provides Momenta with a significant regulatory foothold in Europe. By validating its autonomous driving system under Germany's stringent automotive standards, Momenta can accelerate the commercial deployment of its Robotaxi services in partnership with global ride-hailing giant Uber and major European automakers.

Chinese autonomous driving firm Momenta has obtained a nationwide Level 4 (L4) autonomous driving testing permit from Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), according to reporting by People's Daily. The authorization permits Momenta to operate and test its L4 autonomous vehicles on urban roads across all German municipalities, marking a major step forward for Chinese physical artificial intelligence technologies seeking integration into the global automotive supply chain. Under previous administrative requirements, autonomous driving developers operating in Germany were obliged to apply for testing licenses on a city-by-city basis. The newly granted nationwide clearance eliminates these local municipal filing hurdles, enabling Momenta to conduct continuous urban testing across different regions under a unified framework. According to company statements, this nationwide scope will substantially increase operational testing efficiency while helping align Momenta's automated driving system safety validation with broader European Union regulatory standards. The regulatory approval coincides with a deepening financial and strategic partnership between Momenta and global ride-hailing operator Uber. Over the course of a single year, Uber completed two separate equity investments in Momenta through its wholly owned subsidiary, SMB Holding. This capital infusion transformed the relationship from a purely commercial agreement into a joint equity and operational partnership. In 2025, Momenta and Uber publicly announced plans to roll out international Robotaxi services, selecting the city of Munich as the initial launch site for their joint deployment. Momenta has built deep industry ties within the European automotive ecosystem, having already established corporate partnerships with major German automakers, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and Volkswagen Group. In addition to its ongoing trials in Munich, Momenta is testing its Robotaxi platforms in key domestic Chinese urban hubs—such as Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuxi, and Shenzhen—as well as internationally in Abu Dhabi, United United Emirates. The nationwide German testing permit provides Momenta with a crucial regulatory foundation to test complex urban driving scenarios and scale its autonomous mobility operations in Europe.