A system for controlling an autonomous vehicle when the autonomous vehicle is outside of its operational design domain. The system includes an environment detection system, a vehicle control system, and a first electronic processor. The first electronic processor is configured to detect that an autonomous vehicle is outside of its operational design domain and send a first electronic message. The first electronic message requests that a surrounding vehicle lead the autonomous vehicle until the autonomous vehicle returns to its operational design domain or reaches a predetermined location. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a leading vehicle and control the autonomous vehicle to follow the leading vehicle until the autonomous vehicle returns to its operational design domain or reaches the predetermined location.