ROBO-TAXIS: TfL warns of major regulatory gaps as autonomous vehicle rollout draws closer
- Perry Richardson
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Transport for London (TfL) has outlined the challenges posed by the emergence of autonomous vehicles (AVs), warning that current licensing laws for the taxi and private hire sectors are not fit to manage their introduction as they stand.
In evidence submitted to Parliament, TfL said the rollout of AVs will require a new regulatory approach to ensure safety, accountability and public confidence. While the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 sets out a national framework for licensing automated passenger services, these vehicles will not fall under the same taxi and PHV legislation currently used by licensing authorities.
TfL made clear that traditional licensing systems were built around human drivers, with responsibilities, conduct standards and background checks forming the backbone of public safety measures. With AVs removing the role of the driver entirely, new structures will be needed to ensure the same level of safety and regulatory control.
The authority is currently working with the Government to help shape the regulatory regime for AVs. However, it warns that until clear definitions around responsibility and compliance are agreed, it will be difficult for local licensing bodies to maintain service standards or intervene when things go wrong.
TfL also raised questions about the long-term implications for jobs in the taxi and PHV sectors. With over 120,000 licensed drivers currently operating in London, any future displacement caused by AVs would have a significant impact. While the pace of adoption remains uncertain, TfL said it is vital that planning begins early to understand how automation could reshape the workforce.
Safety is a central concern. Unlike controlled motorway environments, urban roads present far greater complexity. AVs operating in areas such as London must be able to respond to high volumes of pedestrians, cyclists, changing road layouts and unpredictable behaviours. TfL stressed that AVs must be held to the same safety standards currently applied to human drivers before being introduced to passenger operations.
Although some AV trials have been permitted, they remain limited in scope. TfL said it is working closely with the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) to explore policy options, including how trials can feed into permanent frameworks for regulation.
The evidence makes it clear that local licensing authorities will need a formal role in AV oversight. TfL argues that without strong local input, regulation will lack the flexibility to deal with the realities of real-world deployment, especially in dense urban environments.
TfL also raised concerns that AV operators could exploit gaps between the new AV regime and existing taxi and PHV rules, avoiding safety checks or fare oversight required of traditional services. The risk, it says, is that future passengers will be carried by vehicles that fall outside the protections currently in place for human-driven services.
To prevent this, TfL said collaboration with the Government will be essential. This includes ensuring that AVs used in passenger services are subject to regulation that protects the public, regardless of whether a driver is present.
