Self-driving passenger services could be operating in London before the end of 2026, pending regulatory approval from Transport for London, according to techUK.
In a formal response to the London Assembly Transport Committee, the technology trade association said several of its members are actively preparing to deploy autonomous passenger vehicles in the capital this year. The development follows the government’s Automated Vehicles Act 2024 and the opening of its automated passenger services permitting scheme, which enables small-scale pilots without a safety driver from spring 2026 .
The UK regulatory framework, once complete, is expected to be “the most comprehensive in the world”, techUK said. The organisation represents members including Wayve, the British AI startup partnering with Uber to launch robotaxis in London as early as this summer .
Citing official data, techUK noted that 88% of road collisions in Great Britain involve human error as a contributory factor. International data suggests autonomous vehicles are involved in 82% fewer injury-causing crashes than the average human driver
Operators have been safety testing on London’s streets under the Department for Transport’s Code of Practice since 2017 without serious incident, the submission states. Before any driverless passenger service can begin, vehicles must satisfy the “careful and competent” driving standard assessed by the Vehicle Certification Agency against UNECE regulations.
techUK argued autonomous vehicles could significantly expand access to mobility for older and disabled Londoners who cannot drive, offering greater independence and reliable door-to-door travel in alignment with the Mayor’s Transport Strategy.
The phased introduction of self-driving vehicles is expected to create new roles in manufacturing, fleet maintenance and AI development, alongside broader economic benefits. “Managing this transition fairly, through honest public engagement and with the voices of workers included from the start, is the right course,” techUK said .
techUK urged the Mayor and TfL to set clear expectations and guidance for operators as early as possible, build internal capability to engage constructively with the technology, and deliver consistency with national guidelines to avoid fragmented local variation.
‘Local consenting authorities have a meaningful role to play,’ the submission states. ‘They understand their streets, their communities and the practical realities of how services will operate on the ground.’
Uber has already opened a ‘list of interest’ for customers seeking to be matched with autonomous rides, which will initially operate with trained safety drivers behind the wheel before any fully driverless rollout.
Photo: Leo_Visions
Leave a Reply