DfT launches pivotal consultation on self-driving taxi and private hire services
- Perry Richardson
- Jul 21
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 29
The Department for Transport (DfT) has launched a public consultation aimed at shaping the rules for self-driving taxi and private hire services ahead of their expected rollout in 2026.
Unveiled by Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood, the consultation focuses on the Automated Passenger Services (APS) permitting scheme, a key component of the upcoming Automated Vehicles (AV) Act. The scheme will govern how autonomous vehicles providing taxi-, private hire- and bus-style services are regulated across Great Britain.
The proposed framework seeks to ensure these vehicles meet strict safety standards equal to those of competent human drivers. It will also establish the legal conditions for operating such services, including how councils grant permits and under what circumstances they can be suspended or revoked.
The move follows a government decision to fast-track pilots of self-driving passenger services to spring 2026. For the first time, these pilots could run without a safety driver on board. Users may be able to book autonomous services using smartphone apps, paving the way for broader deployment from late 2027.
According to the DfT, the consultation will consider issues such as accessibility for disabled and older people, integration with local transport networks, and the impact on jobs and industry standards. Members of the public, local authorities, unions and transport operators are all being encouraged to contribute.
Ministers say the wider rollout of self-driving vehicles could support late-night travel, improve rural transport links and offer new mobility options for those unable to drive. The Government also links the technology to economic growth, with projections that the sector could be worth £42 billion by 2035, supporting around 38,000 jobs.
The UK has been trialling autonomous vehicles since 2015. Homegrown firms like Wayve and Oxa continue to lead in development. Wayve recently secured over $1 billion in funding and announced partnerships with Nissan and Uber, while Oxa has introduced self-driving systems at Heathrow Airport and in US-based services.
The AV Act and APS scheme are expected to form the regulatory foundation for full commercial use of autonomous taxi and private hire vehicles in the UK by 2027.
Lilian Greenwood, Future of Roads Minister, 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.”
Gavin Jackson, CEO of OXA, said: "As the first company to trial an autonomous vehicle (AV) on UK roads back in 2016, we are delighted to see the UK continuing to progress towards making AV services a commercial reality.
"The Automated Passenger Services (APS) regime will enable the deployment of innovative public transport services that will augment our current transport network, making it easier and more accessible than ever to get around."
LATEST PREMIUM STORIES
