The UK public and industry are being encouraged to help shape the future of self-driving vehicles and offer their views to help make them safe.
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood has launched a consultation on the automated passenger services (APS) permitting scheme and the draft statutory instrument, a key legal element of how taxi, private-hire- and bus-like services of self-driving vehicles will be regulated once they hit roads in Great Britain.
The consultation follows the recent government decision to fast-track pilots of self-driving passenger vehicles to Spring 2026. This will allow firms to pilot small-scale services without a safety driver for the first time.
“Self-driving vehicles are one of the most exciting opportunities to improve transport for so many people, especially those in rural areas or unable to drive,” said Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood.
“We want to work with passengers and industry to make this new form of transport safe and accessible, as we take our next steps towards adoption.”
Through the consultation, representative groups, industry stakeholders, trade unions and members of the public will be able to offer their views and influence future government policy over a variety of areas critical for self-driving vehicles to run safely and efficiently.
These include:
- How self-driving vehicles can be made as accessible as possible for disabled and older people.
- How services of self-driving vehicles are approved by councils,
- When a permit to operate a service should be varied, suspended or withdrawn.
