Overview

• The 10-week consultation, open from July 21 to September 28, invites public and industry input on the Automated Passenger Services permitting scheme.
• Under the draft rules, small-scale autonomous taxi and bus services will operate without onboard safety drivers from spring 2026.
• The full Automated Vehicles Act will take effect in the second half of 2027, establishing liability and operational standards for fully driverless passenger vehicles.
• The consultation focuses on world-leading safety regulations, technology approval processes and accessibility requirements for disabled and elderly users.
• The Department for Transport projects autonomous passenger services could support 38,000 jobs and grow into a £42 billion industry by 2035, building on trials by Wayve, Oxa and others.