Purpose This study verified the moderating effect of consumer knowledge in relation to the factors affecting the acceptance intention of autonomous vehicles by adding trust to the United Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model for the commercialization of autonomous vehicles. Design/methodology/approach For this purpose, this study conducted a survey on general consumers who are interested in automobiles. A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed and collected, and 242 questionnaires were used for analysis. To test the hypotheses, multiple regression analysis and multiple group analysis were performed. Findings Performance expectations, effort expectations, social influence, and trust were found to have a positive effect on the acceptance intention of autonomous vehicles. In addition, consumer knowledge between performance expectation and acceptance intention and between effort expectation and acceptance intention was confirmed as a variable that can moderate the relationship.