Labour is set to introduce new road laws to police driverless cars when they hit UK roads in a matter of months. The Department for Transport has confirmed that key laws regulating self-driving vehicles will come into place from 2026.
The first driverless taxi and private-hire vehicles will hit the road from spring 2026 with motorists able to have their say on what needs to happen moving forward. A new consultation is asking the public and industry to help shape the future of self-driving vehicles and look into new rules that may be needed. Motorists can have their say through the online consultation which will run until the end of September.
Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, backed the use of driverless cars on UK streets as an opportunity to improve transport for millions of individuals.
She said: “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.”
Questions experts want answered include how self-driving vehicles can be made as accessible as possible for disabled and older people. Policy around how services of self-driving vehicles are approved by councils and details around permits to operate a service should also be clarified.
According to the DfT, the roll-out of self-driving vehicles on UK streets in a bid to reduce human error. Statistics suggest this plays a leading role in accidents with data showing mistakes contribute to 88% of all road collisions.
The DfT claims that driverless vehicles can provide greater choice and flexibility for passengers, including during unsociable hours. Officials stress that better accessibility for those living in rural areas is another major benefit to the new technology.
From Spring 2026, companies will be able to offer small-scale transport services without a driver for the first time.
Experts stress there could be a potential wider rollout of driverless vehicle technology when a full Automated Vehicles Act is implemented in 2027.
Gavin Jackson, CEO of Oxa added: “As the first company to trial an autonomous vehicle on UK roads back in 2016, we are delighted to see the UK continuing to progress towards making automated vehicle services a commercial reality.”