Ford has launched Britain’s first hands-free self-driving car system after securing permission from the Department for Transport to allow motorists to let go of the steering wheel on motorways.

The company will charge £17.99-a-month to owners of its electric Mustang Mach-E vehicle for access to its “BlueCruise” system, which will drive the vehicle for motorists and allow them to take their hands off the wheel.

Once enabled, BlueCruise will allow drivers to travel at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour on UK roads, using radar and cameras to adjust speed, steer on bends and change position in a driving lane. Drivers will be monitored using an infrared camera to ensure they are paying attention to the road.

The system will be able to adapt to variable speed limits and come to a complete halt in traffic jams. It can adjust its position in the lane, for example when a large vehicle is passing, but not change lanes.

If a driver takes their eyes off the road, the system will show warning messages and audible alerts before slowing down the vehicle.

Ford said it was the first hands free driving system available for consumers in Europe.

Driver assistance software such as Tesla’s Autopilot already exists in the UK but requires the driver to have hands on the wheel at all times.

Motorists will still be liable in the event of an accident, with Ford saying the driver remains in control even when BlueCruise is enabled.

However, the car manufacturer reassured people of the system’s safety, saying 64 million miles have been driven using the software in the US without an incident.

Ford said it had carried out 100,000 miles of testing that had shown the system was able to handle worn-out lane markings, roadworks and poor weather.

The feature can be activated only on 2,300 miles of designated “BlueZones”, which cover almost all of the motorways in England, Scotland and Wales. When leaving a motorway, drivers will be prompted to take control of the steering wheel.

The system is only available on the 2023 model of the Mustang Mach-E electric SUV, which costs upwards of £50,830. Ford said owners would get 90 days of BlueCruise free when buying the car and would then have to pay £17.99-a-month for the upgrade.

Jesse Norman, the transport minister, said: “It is great news that Ford has chosen Great Britain for the European launch of their BlueCruise technology, and I am delighted that this country is once more at the forefront of innovation.

“The latest advanced driver assistance systems make driving smoother and easier, but they can also make roads safer by reducing scope for driver error.”

BlueCruise is a so-called “Level 2” system on a scale of automation that goes from zero to five. The Government introduced legislation allowing such systems in 2018.

Ford said it had undertaken many hours of testing with the Department for Transport and Vehicle Certification Agency.