The UK government has initiated a consultation to shape the future of self-driving passenger vehicles, with first on-road trials earmarked for spring 2026.

Central to the Automated Passenger Services (APS) permitting scheme will be measures focusing on safety, innovation, regulation and accessibility.

Launching the drive

Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood announced the decision, noting that APS will authorise “small-scale services without a safety driver” – bookable via an app – ahead of a full rollout following the Automated Vehicles Act, expected in the second half of 2027.

She emphasised that the scheme aims not only to make transport more accessible, particularly in rural areas and for those unable to drive, but also to stimulate innovation, create thousands of jobs, and attract investment.

The consultation invites feedback from a range of stakeholders, including fleet managers, trade unions, local councils, groups representing disabled and older people, and the general public.

Discussion is to examine vital issues, such as vehicle accessibility, approval processes for councils, and triggers for altering, suspending, or withdrawing permits.

Industry voices are welcoming the move.

Gavin Jackson, CEO of Oxa—the UK’s first firm to trial AVs back in 2016—said the APS regime could “augment our current transport network” by enabling more accessible public services.

UK at the forefront 

UK-based AI specialists Wayve, who have raised over $1 billion in funds and formed global partnerships with Uber, Nissan, Microsoft, and Nvidia, are spearheading Level 4 autonomous testing.

With public-road testing set for London in 2026, Wayve brings cutting-edge AI ‘end-to-end’ systems developed in cities like Stuttgart and San Francisco.

Meanwhile, Uber is collaborating with Wayve to roll out fully autonomous robotaxis on London’s roads, which will pick up passengers via the Uber app.

Scotland also broke ground with CAVForth, the world’s first full-size Level 4 autonomous bus service on public roads, which operated between May 2023 and February 2025.

Global boom

The autonomous vehicle (AV) sector is experiencing rapid growth worldwide.

This global market grew from US$147.5 bn in 2022 to $208 bn in 2023, and is forecast to reach a staggering $428 bn by 2025, scaling to over $1 trillion by 2030.

Major players, such as Waymo in the U.S., already operate commercial driverless taxi services in multiple cities—including Phoenix, San Francisco, Miami, and Tokyo—offering over 200,000 rides weekly.

Waymo’s data highlights an 80% reduction in crash rates versus human drivers across more than 7.1 million miles, showcasing significant safety advantages.

Safety in the driving seat

The UK’s Automated Vehicles Act 2024, which received Royal Assent in May 2024, mandates that self-driving vehicles meet or exceed the safety of “competent and careful human drivers”.

An extensive safety assurance framework, including rigorous testing, simulation scenarios, and safety-by-design requirements, underpins the APS permitting scheme.

This legislation is supported by £100 million in combined funding from the Department for Transport (DfT) and BEIS to foster innovation and develop the safety infrastructure necessary for the deployment of AVs.

The road ahead

By facilitating accessible, safe, and regulated trials, the UK aims to position itself as a global leader in the AV revolution.

Officials estimate the APS regime and wider AV rollout could generate £42 billion in economic value and create 38,000 jobs by 2035.

As trials ramp up in 2026 and the UK awaits the full launch in 2027, this consultation presents an opportunity for the public to shape how self-driving technology integrates into society—potentially reshaping transport with safer, greener, and more equitable mobility.