Self-driving taxi and bus pilots to launch in England from 2026 as industry gears up for big change
- Perry Richardson
- 20 hours ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
Self-driving vehicles will begin commercial pilot operations in England from spring 2026, following confirmation from the Transport Secretary that the Government will bring forward testing timelines. The move marks a major step towards a wider rollout when the full Automated Vehicles Act comes into force in 2027.
From 2026, firms will be allowed to trial self-driving taxi and bus-style services without safety drivers. These services could be bookable via an app and made available to the public. It will be the first time such driverless vehicles are permitted on UK roads without onboard human supervision.
According to the Government, the introduction of self-driving vehicles has the potential to create 38,000 jobs and generate an industry worth £42 billion by 2035. A key aim of the pilots is to reduce road collisions, with human error currently contributing to 88% of all incidents. Self-driving technology is designed to respond faster than humans, avoid distractions and operate within speed and alcohol limits.
The UK has already been trialling autonomous vehicles since 2015. British firms such as Wayve and Oxa have led the way, with Wayve recently securing over $1 billion in funding and building partnerships with Nissan and Uber. Oxa is already using self-driving vehicles for logistics operations at Heathrow Airport.
The new trials will support the Government’s Plan for Change, focusing on job creation, technological investment and improving public transport. The rollout of driverless services could enhance transport options in rural areas and offer greater mobility for those currently unable to drive.
The Technology Secretary said the UK must not lag behind in AI innovation. The pilots are part of a wider Transport AI action plan launched during London Tech Week, aimed at using AI to grow the economy and cut congestion.
Industry leaders have welcomed the Government’s announcement. Uber, Waymo and techUK all expressed support, with emphasis placed on clear regulation, public safety and public understanding of autonomous capabilities.
The Automated Vehicles Act requires AVs to meet safety standards equal to or better than a competent human driver. Public consultation is now underway to ensure safety principles are transparent and robust ahead of deployment.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “The future of transport is arriving. Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world-leaders in new technology.
“With road safety at the heart of our pilots and legislation, we continue to take bold steps to create jobs, back British industry, and drive innovation to deliver our Plan for Change.”
