
Dubai is set to transform its streets this March with the official launch of a driverless taxi service.
The announcement comes after Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum took a high-profile first test ride to the World Governments' Summit 2026.
The initial phase will see 100 fully autonomous vehicles hit the roads, with plans to eventually expand the fleet to more than 1,000 taxis.
These robotaxis use artificial intelligence and advanced sensors to make independent driving decisions without any human help.
Officials from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) say the project aims to make city travel safer, faster, and more eco-friendly by reducing traffic jams and accidents.
Experts believe this technology is a vital part of future city life, helping to optimise fuel and make daily commutes much easier for residents and tourists alike.
During his test ride, the Crown Prince praised the shift toward smart mobility. Writing on X, he stated: “On my way to the World Governments Summit 2026, I took a ride in a fully autonomous taxi, enabled by artificial intelligence, advanced sensing technologies, and autonomous decision-making systems.
"The future of mobility in Dubai will be smarter, safer, more efficient, and more inclusive.”
The initiative is part of a larger plan to adopt sustainable transport solutions across the emirate. Sheikh Hamdan highlighted that the project is about "turning vision into reality, building sustainable transport that improves the quality of life for everyone."
As the official launch approaches next month, the Prince thanked the RTA and global partners for their work, adding: “This is only the beginning of our journey to the future. The best is yet to come for Dubai.”

Fresh drainage surveys in Southampton City Centre, at a busy junction have sparked a backlash from traders and cabbies who say constant disruption is driving people away.

Kelvin Ndoro, 41, lured the victim into his car in Nottingham city centre in the early hours of the morning by offering her a lift home.

As major redevelopments such as the Avenues project and George Square upgrades move forward, the city's fleet of hackney drivers say the sheer volume of construction is strangling trade.

A Bradford private hire driver has criticised the city council after 100s of motorists fined for using bus lanes on Christmas and New Year’s Day - dates many believed were exempt from enforcement.

In October 2024, a private hire vehicle was detected speeding in Somerset. 

Nottingham firm Ideal Cars have asked PHTM to share their complaint they recently sent by email to the Access to Work team.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, 8 February, a couple of passengers approached a taxi waiting on the rank in Wigan town centre and asked for a price to be taken to a club in Bolton.

The Australian case, brought by Rideshare Drivers Network, mirrors arguments rejected by UK courts, where Uber mischaracterised its relationship with drivers in to deny their statutory rights.

The proposal is designed to modernise the licensing system, reduce duplication, and improve efficiency while maintaining all required safety, knowledge, and training standards.

At Bolton Council’s licensing committee on January 6, the council highlighted its strict stance on driver conduct, resulting in one suspension and one final warning for the operators involved.

The council is considering new rules that would require taxi & PH firms to carry out criminal record checks on all staff members and notify passengers if their driver is licensed in a different town.

The incident took place just before 1am on Wednesday, February 4, on Mardale Road, where a taxi parked on a private driveway was set on fire.

Darren McCartney, a former prison officer and hostage negotiator, appeared before the North Ayrshire Licensing Committee following objections from Police Scotland regarding his criminal record.

Drivers are proposing to scrap the percentage-based surcharge in favour of entirely new, higher fixed tariffs for larger vehicles carrying up to eight people.

The St Annes-on-Sea operator has partnered with Greenway Power Group (GPG) and the Patons Group to provide the technology, which is also being made available for public use.

Officers stormed properties on February 5, detaining a woman, 42, and a man, 46, on suspicion of fraud; a man, 22, on suspicion of handling stolen goods; nd a man, 18, on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking.

Abdulsalam Idlebi was found in breach of discrimination policies following the incident at a taxi rank on Irvine’s Bank Street last November.

Police have issued a fresh plea for help exactly one year after the body of 47-year-old Jesbir Singh Khela was discovered in a burnt-out car.

The cost of a standard one-year driver’s licence would jump from £150 to £165, while those opting for a three-year licence would see prices climb from £240 to £264.

Less than a third of taxi drivers in Greater Manchester are using new government-funded grants to switch to electric vehicles, according to research by the Clean Cities Campaign.
