New changes to the Highway Code are not currently set to affect Northern Ireland drivers.
Changes in the UK will allow drivers to watch TV in self-driving cars as long as they remain in a single lane and under 37mph, reports the Mirror.
In addition to this, drivers won’t be liable for any crashes that take place when a car is self-driving.
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Insurance firms will be liable for accidents that take place when it is in self-driving mode but drivers must be ready to take back control of their cars if needed.
It will remain illegal to use a phone behind the wheel.
No self-driving cars are allowed on UK roads at the minute, but the first of these vehicles could be ready later this year, according to the BBC.
Planned changes to the code are expected to come into effect in the UK over the summer.
The Department for Infrastructure said these changes are not currently set for Northern Ireland.
A DfI spokesperson told Belfast Live : “As road safety is a fully devolved matter, the Northern Ireland Highway Code is the official guide for citizens here with regards to using our roads safely and legally. The code is periodically updated to take account of changes in legislation or new developments in the field of road safety.
“The Department will consider the road safety implications for Northern Ireland of future policy and legislative changes implemented in GB, including the use of technology in autonomous vehicles and if appropriate will update the Highway Code NI to reflect any changes in policy or legislation that may result.”
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