Government confirms autonomous ride-hail regulations due by spring 2026 ahead of Waymo’s London rollout

The UK Government has confirmed that new rules to manage autonomous ride-hail vehicles are on track for delivery in spring 2026, as Waymo prepares for a driverless vehicle launch in London next year.

In response to a written question in the House of Lords, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, Minister of State at the Department for Transport, pointed to the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 as the foundation for the country’s self-driving vehicle legislation. He described it as one of the most detailed legal structures of its kind globally.

The next step is the Automated Passenger Services (APS) statutory instrument, a key part of the AV Act, which is now being fast-tracked. The APS scheme will provide a permit-based system to authorise autonomous services including taxi, private hire and bus-style operations.

Each application under the scheme will require detailed safety assessments by the Vehicle Certification Agency. Local Authorities will also have the power to approve or reject permit applications for services operating in their area.

A public consultation on the permitting system and draft regulations closed on 28 September. The Department for Transport is now reviewing the responses, with a formal reply expected in early 2026.

Full implementation of the AV Act is planned for the second half of 2027, covering the wider framework for connected and automated mobility.

The updates follow growing interest in UK deployments of autonomous vehicles. Waymo, backed by Google parent company Alphabet, has indicated plans to bring its autonomous ‘robo-taxi’ services to London, joining a number of other global cities trialling similar technology.

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Lord Hendy said: “The Automated Vehicles Act 2024 is delivering one of the most comprehensive legal frameworks of its kind anywhere in the world for self-driving vehicles, with safety at its core. This government announced in June 2025 that we are accelerating delivery of the Automated Passenger Services (APS) statutory instrument to Spring 2026.

“The APS permitting scheme will regulate deployments of automated taxi-, private-hire -and bus-like vehicles. Where required, stringent safety assessments with be conducted by the Vehicle Certification Agency, and permits will be subject to consent by the relevant Local Authority.

“Our consultation on the permitting scheme and draft statutory instrument closed on 28 September and responses are now being analysed. We aim to publish the government response in early 2026. We aim to implement the remainder of the AV Act in the second half of 2027.”