The UK government has announced plans to accelerate the introduction of commercial self-driving vehicle pilots, bringing the timeline forward by a year to spring 2026. The move positions Britain as a global leader in autonomous vehicle technology while promising significant economic benefits.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed on Tuesday (10 June 2025) that firms will be able to pilot small-scale “taxi- and bus-like” services without safety drivers for the first time. These services could be available to the public through mobile app bookings, marking a significant milestone before the full Automated Vehicles Act becomes law in the second half of 2027.
“The future of transport is arriving,” says Alexander. “Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world-leaders in new technology.”
The government estimates that the autonomous vehicle industry could create 38,000 jobs and add £42 billion to the UK economy by 2035. This initiative forms part of the government’s Plan for Change, aimed at boosting economic growth and putting money in people’s pockets.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle emphasized the strategic importance of the announcement: “We can’t afford to take a back seat on AI, unless it’s on a self-driving bus. It’s great to see the UK storming ahead as a global leader in using this technology – making our roads safer, travel easier and driving growth by spurring innovation across the country.”
Road safety remains a central priority for the pilots. The government highlighted that human error contributes to 88% of all road collisions, making autonomous vehicles a potentially transformative safety technology. The Automated Vehicles Act will require self-driving vehicles to achieve safety levels at least equivalent to competent human drivers.
Unlike human drivers, autonomous vehicles cannot become distracted, tired, or impaired. They benefit from faster reaction times and training on extensive driving scenarios, including learning from real-world incidents.
The announcement has been welcomed by key industry players. Alex Kendall, Co-Founder and CEO of Wayve, which secured over $1 billion in investment and partnerships with Nissan and Uber, said: “Accelerating commercial self-driving pilots to 2026 positions the UK as a leading destination for the deployment of L4 self-driving technology. These early pilots will help build public trust and unlock new jobs, services, and markets.”
Uber’s Head of Autonomous Mobility & Delivery, Sarfraz Maredia, praised the government’s leadership: “Today’s announcement marks a significant step toward bringing autonomous services to the UK. Uber already enables tens of thousands of driverless trips each month worldwide through partnerships with leading AV developers.”
Self-driving trials have been conducted in the UK since January 2015, with British companies Wayve and Oxa leading technological breakthroughs. Oxa has already supported bus-like services in the US and begun deploying self-driving vehicles at Heathrow Airport for baggage handling operations.
The UK’s regulatory framework has attracted international attention. Michelle Peacock, Head of Global Public Policy at Waymo, noted: “The United Kingdom has long been home to our first European engineering team dedicated to the development of our AI-powered Waymo Driver. We’re delighted to see the Government lay the groundwork for new investment possibilities in the years ahead.”
Beyond economic gains, autonomous vehicles promise to improve transport accessibility. They could provide new public transport options in rural areas, enhancing connectivity for local communities while improving mobility and independence for those unable to drive.
Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, described the development as bringing “Britain’s self-driving vehicle revolution one step closer,” noting that pilot rollout will “widen public access to mobility” while ensuring safe deployment.
The announcement was made during London Tech Week as part of the Department for Transport’s new AI Action Plan, which outlines how the government intends to use artificial intelligence to drive economic growth, reduce traffic congestion, and improve transport across the UK.
