With driverless ride-hail arriving in the UK… what NEW jobs could existing cabbies have an eye on in years to come?
- Perry Richardson
- Oct 20
- 5 min read
The global rollout of driverless ride-hailing services is set to spawn a host of new job roles. As companies deploy autonomous taxis in cities from San Francisco to Shenzhen, they are hiring people in fresh capacities to support and manage these vehicles. In the UK, where self-driving pilots are being fast-tracked to 2026, officials predict the industry could create nearly 40,000 jobs by 2035. This employment growth spans both high-tech engineering posts and practical operational roles – offering opportunities from entry-level to highly skilled positions.
Technical roles behind autonomous fleets
Innovations in autonomous vehicles are driving demand for specialist skills. Car-hailing firms and tech developers are recruiting software engineers, robotics experts and AI specialists to perfect the “brains” of driverless cars. The UK Government expects tens of thousands of high-skilled jobs to emerge in areas like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and vehicle cybersecurity as this sector grows. Many of these roles overlap with traditional automotive R&D but require knowledge of sensors, data analytics and cutting-edge automation. Crucially, these are well-paid careers helping design, test and improve the algorithms and systems that keep autonomous cars safe on the road.
Not all technical positions demand an advanced degree. Autonomous vehicle technicians are a new category of skilled trade: these are mechanics trained to service self-driving cars, including their complex sensor suites and onboard computers. Companies rolling out robotaxi fleets will likely need technicians to perform software updates, calibrate lidar and cameras, and handle repairs unique to driverless cars. Similarly, mapping and data analysts are needed to maintain the high-definition maps and real-time data that autonomous vehicles rely on. These roles build on existing automotive and IT skillsets, often requiring additional training in the specific technologies of autonomy.
New operational and support roles
Even as cars learn to drive themselves, humans remain integral to ride-hailing operations. A prominent new role is the remote vehicle operator or “teleoperator” who monitors driverless rides from a command centre and can assist or intervene in tricky situations. In today’s commercial autonomous services, no Level 4 vehicle operates without some human oversight, and firms like Waymo and Cruise employ teams of remote staff to support their cars on the road. These workers may watch multiple live feeds for any anomalies (remote monitoring) and step in via software to guide vehicles through obstacles or unusual scenarios (remote assistance). For example, Waymo uses Fleet Response Specialists to give its taxis directions when the software encounters something unexpected, like a complex construction detour. Such jobs require strong situational awareness and decision-making under pressure, but not necessarily an advanced qualification – making them plausible next-step careers for former drivers with the right training.
The advent of autonomous fleets is also creating fleet management and coordination positions. Companies will need fleet managers for autonomous vehicles to oversee operations, schedule maintenance, and ensure the AVs are deployed efficiently. Alongside them, logistics coordinators and dispatchers will handle routing and customer service issues that autonomous systems alone cannot address. These staff might, for instance, remotely assist a passenger who left an item in a driverless car or rearrange vehicle assignments during a surge in demand. In the absence of a human driver, such customer support and operations roles become vital to keep ride-hailing services running smoothly. They provide an avenue for workers with strong people skills or local knowledge – including former cab controllers or private-hire drivers – to apply those talents in an automated service environment.
Not to be overlooked are entry-level jobs supporting autonomous fleets. Self-driving cars still need cleaning, charging, and regular physical checks. Companies are likely to hire attendants to clean and recharge vehicles, swap sensors, or reposition cars between shifts. Some firms are trialling fleet service staff who can be dispatched to assist a stalled robotaxi or help riders who require in-person assistance. These roles do not differ greatly from existing car valeting or depot jobs, but they are more closely integrated with technology – for example, using apps to locate and unlock vehicles. They offer a potential employment path for current ride-hailing drivers who may not wish to retrain in a technical field but can transfer their experience in vehicle care and customer interaction.
Career transition opportunities for UK drivers
With driverless services on the horizon, many UK ride-hailing drivers are understandably concerned about their futures. However, the industry’s transformation does not simply eliminate jobs – it changes them. As one example, Lyft is investing in workforce development programmes to help its drivers move into roles in the autonomous economy, whether as vehicle operators, fleet managers, or in emerging roles such as AV maintenance and remote support. These sorts of initiatives recognise that gig drivers bring valuable experience – from navigating local streets to managing rider interactions – which can be built upon for new positions. A private-hire driver could, for instance, train to become a remote operations assistant overseeing multiple cars, or take a course in EV maintenance to join an AV service team.
In the UK, both industry and government are starting to consider retraining needs. The Government’s Connected & Automated Mobility 2025 report emphasises providing opportunities for reskilling and upskilling workers as automation advances. Short-term skills bootcamps and technical courses (in areas like IT support, robotics fundamentals or vehicle electrics) can equip displaced drivers with the competencies needed for roles around autonomous vehicles. Meanwhile, larger firms may offer in-house training: for example, an operator rolling out autonomous shuttles might redeploy some bus or taxi drivers as on-board safety stewards or fleet technicians, with appropriate instruction.
It’s also likely that some driving jobs will persist even as AVs expand. For years to come, self-driving systems will have limitations – such as in rural areas, adverse weather or for passengers with special needs – meaning human drivers remain in demand alongside the robots. This overlap period gives current drivers time to adapt. Those with the interest can seize new career paths in the AV sector; others may continue driving in contexts where people outperform automation, or transition to related transport fields (like courier work or community transport) that still need a human touch.
Crucially, the shift to autonomous ride-hailing need not be a zero-sum game of winners and losers. If managed proactively, it can be a career evolution for the UK’s taxi and private-hire workforce over the course of a considerable time scale. The arrival of robotaxis is set to open roles from tech labs to control rooms, many of which did not exist a decade ago. By tapping into retraining schemes and leveraging their on-road expertise, today’s drivers can position themselves for these opportunities. Automation may alter job roles without eliminating them entirely. The challenge now is to ensure drivers have clear pathways into the new jobs created by driverless services – keeping experienced people in the loop, even as vehicles take the wheel.
