Will Self-Driving Cars soon be seen on UK roads?
The UK government has launched a public consultation to see how (and if) self-driving vehicles could be integrated into everyday road use across the country. Trials of self-driving vehicles are due to start in 2026, so it might not be too long until we are all having to interact with these cars on a daily basis.
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood announced the consultation, which centres around the Automated Passenger Services (APS) permitting scheme. This is the scheme that will shape how self-driving taxis, private-hire vehicles, and autonomous buses are regulated on UK roads.
This is all happening following the recent government decision to bring forward pilot schemes for self-driving cars. These trials, which will start in spring 2026, will be the first in the UK to operate without a human safety driver onboard. Full-scale roll-out could follow as early as late 2027, when the Automated Vehicles Act is expected to come into effect.
The government estimates that advancing this technology could unlock an industry worth £42 billion by 2035 and create up to 38,000 new jobs. Self-driving vehicles are also expected to bring greater flexibility to public transport, particularly in rural areas, and potentially reduce road accidents caused by human error.
Self-Driving Cars
The consultation seeks feedback from industry leaders, trade unions, local authorities, and the public. Topics include making autonomous services accessible to disabled and older passengers, determining how services are approved or suspended by local authorities, and the broader role of self-driving vehicles in the transport network.
“Self-driving vehicles are one of the most exciting opportunities to improve transport for so many people, especially those in rural areas or unable to drive. We want to work with passengers and industry to make this new form of transport safe and accessible, as we take our next steps towards adoption. This technology doesn’t just have the potential to improve transport for millions of people. It will help stimulate innovation, create thousands of jobs, and drive investment to put more money in people’s pockets – all part of delivering our Plan for Change.”
Lilian Greenwood, Future of Roads Minister
Full details of the draft regulations, The Automated Vehicles (Permits for Automated Passenger Services) Regulations 2026, and how to submit feedback are available at GOV.UK. The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 28 September 2025.
Read more automotive industry news
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.