Tesla driver moves to sit in passenger seat after switching on car's Autopilot while travelling down M1 motorway

A witness said they spotted a man in the passenger seat of the vehicle with his hands behind his head - while the steering wheel was left unmanned

A Tesla owner has been banned from driving for 18 months after he decided to switch on the car's autopilot mode and move to the passenger seat while travelling on on the motorway.

Footage filmed by a shocked onlooker on the M1 shows Bhavesh Patel sat in the passenger seat of the white Tesla -while no one can be seen in the driver's seat.

A court heart Patel left the steering wheel and foot pedals completely unmanned when driving the super-car along the northbound carriageway of the motorway - near Hemel Hempstead - in May last year.

Patel, 39, of Alfreton Road in Nottingham, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at St Albans Crown Court on Friday, April 20.

The witness, who was a passenger in another car, filmed Patel as the vehicle went past.

It is believed the car was travelling at around 40mph as traffic was heavy due to congestion.

Footage of the incident was posted on social media - and police later sent a notice of intended prosecution to Patel in the post.

The 39-year-old admitted it was a "silly" move but added the car was capable of something "amazing" and he was "one of the unlucky ones that got caught".

Tesla told police autopilot are hands-on features intended to provide assistance to a "fully attentive driver".

Traffic Awareness Cruise Control assists with acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle, while auto-steer provides assistance with steering.