UK set to approve driverless cars by exact year as approval delayed
Government and industry leaders remain optimistic about the benefits of autonomous vehicles despite the recent pushback as the sector is projected to be worth £42 billion
The UK government has officially delayed the approval and rollout of fully driverless cars, pushing the expected date to the second half of 2027, marking a significant shift from previous administration's targets, which said autonomous vehicles were "set to be on roads by 2026'.
The Automated Vehicles (AV) Act, which became law in May 2024, was initially hailed as a major step forward for the UK's self-driving car ambitions, establishing a legal framework stating that when a vehicle is in self-driving mode, the manufacturer — not the human occupant — is liable for its behaviour, with the intention of paving the way for the introduction of autonomous vehicles as early as 2026.
Several factors have contributed to the government's decision to push back the approval date, with safety concerns playing a major role. Recent incidents involving robotaxis in other countries — such as the suspension of General Motors' Cruise service at the end of last year in San Francisco following safety issues — have intensified caution. The government is prioritising a 'safety-led' approach to avoid similar problems in the UK.
Regulatory complexity is another challenge. While the AV Act established the legal foundation, secondary legislation is still required to detail operational standards, insurance requirements and accident liability. Without these, fully driverless cars cannot be legally deployed.
Public apprehension remains high, with a 2024 YouGov poll revealing 37% of Britons would feel 'very unsafe' in a driverless car, so building trust is seen as essential.
There is also a gap between industry readiness and regulation, with companies including Uber and UK-based Wayve claiming they are technologically ready to deploy driverless taxis immediately. However, without the necessary regulatory approvals, these services cannot launch.
Senior Vice President of Mobility at Uber, Andrew Macdonald, told the BBC: "We're ready to launch robotaxis in the UK as soon as the regulatory environment is ready for us.'
In relation to safety issues, he added: "The reality is that one accident is too many. That said, with EV, human drivers… we operate in the real world and stuff happens."
As of May 2025, only advanced driver-assistance features such as lane assist and traffic jam autopilot are permitted, but a human driver must be ready to take control at all times. Several firms, including Uber, are actively testing more advanced systems and lobbying for faster regulatory progress.
Despite the delay, the government and industry leaders remain optimistic about the economic and safety benefits of autonomous vehicles. The sector is projected to be worth £42 billion and create 38,000 jobs by 2035.
However, industry groups including the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Zenzic and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) have warned that further delays could undermine the UK's competitive position and risk missing out on global leadership in self-driving technology.
The UK Department for Transport said in a statement: "We are working quickly and will implement self-driving vehicle legislation in the second half of 2027. We are also exploring options for short-term trials and pilots to create the right conditions for a thriving self-driving sector.'
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