The future of transport is accelerating in the UK, with self-driving taxi and bus services set to begin piloting on England's roads in spring 2026 – a full year ahead of schedule.

This fast-tracked initiative underscores the Government's ambition for the UK to be at the forefront of autonomous vehicle technology.

For the first time, firms will be permitted to trial small-scale "taxi- and bus-like" services without a safety driver, potentially allowing members of the public to book these vehicles via an app. This precedes a wider rollout anticipated from the second half of 2027, when the full Automated Vehicles (AV) Act is expected to become law.

The Department for Transport (DfT) stated that bringing forward these pilots will be a significant economic driver, forecasting the creation of 38,000 jobs and an industry worth £42 billion by 2035.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed enthusiasm for the move, stating: "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."

She emphasised that "road safety would be at the heart" of both the trials and the forthcoming legislation. The Automated Vehicles Act will mandate that self-driving vehicles achieve a safety standard at least as high as that of competent human drivers and undergo rigorous testing.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle echoed this sentiment, highlighting the UK's leadership in the field. "It’s great to see the UK storming ahead as a global leader in using this technology - making our roads safer, travel easier and driving growth by spurring innovation across the country," he said.

"That’s why we’re bringing timelines forward today, placing the UK firmly in the fast lane and creating opportunity along the way so people across the country benefit.”

The DfT believes that self-driving vehicles, with their faster reaction times and extensive training on diverse driving scenarios, including real-world incidents, can help reduce deaths and injuries on the roads.

Beyond safety, these vehicles are envisioned to enhance transport options, particularly in rural areas, boosting connectivity and improving mobility, accessibility, and independence for those unable to drive.

The UK has been a hub for self-driving trials since January 2015, with British companies Wayve and Oxa leading significant advancements. Wayve recently secured over $1 billion in investment and announced partnerships with Nissan and Uber, while Oxa has already supported "bus-like" services in the US and implemented self-driving vehicles for baggage handling at Heathrow Airport.

Alex Kendall, co-founder and CEO at Wayve, welcomed the accelerated timeline. "Accelerating commercial self-driving pilots to 2026 positions the UK as a leading destination for the deployment of L4 self-driving technology," he said.

"These early pilots will help build public trust and unlock new jobs, services, and markets. For Wayve, this means we can prioritise the UK for early deployment and help deliver safer, cleaner mobility to the UK."

Gavin Jackson, Oxa's CEO, believes that "clear rules" will stimulate the market and encourage transport companies to embrace the benefits of autonomous vehicles nationwide.

He concluded: "Today's announcement shows that Britain is ready for this technology."

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