Londoners could soon be able to book self-driving taxis and buses under new UK government plans, with companies including Waymo and Uber
Passengers may be able to book self-driving taxis and ‘buses’ later this year as operator applications open in a UK-wide scheme. Applications opened today (22 May 2026) for companies to run self-driving taxi, bus and private hire services on roads across United Kingdom.
Passengers in London could be able to book autonomous rides later this year as part of the government pilot scheme. Any services operating in London will need approval from Transport for London before launch. Companies linked to the rollout include Uber, Waymo and UK-based Wayve – and Uber said Londoners could get the chance to try autonomous rides “this year”. Waymo also said it hopes to become part of London’s transport network.
The government says the pilot is aimed at testing self-driving vehicles in real traffic conditions, including busy urban streets, while gathering safety data.
The move will create thousands of jobs and unlock billions for the economy by 2035, the Department for Transport (DfT) said. The Government believes the technology offers greater freedom and independence for older and disabled people, as well as expanding travel options across both work and leisure.
It could also transform roads, with human error currently contributing to 88% of collisions in the UK, the DfT added. However, self-driving cars have come under fire in recent months amid reported near misses.
In April, a Waymo trial run saw a vehicle plough through a live police cordon on Harlesden High Street while officers were investigating a double stabbing. The company said the car was in manual mode “with a validation driver in full control”, who has since been suspended pending an investigation.
The newly-announced pilot scheme will gather real-world evidence on how autonomous vehicles operate on everyday roads, from navigating busy urban streets to interacting with traffic and carrying passengers safely. Services will be subject to approval checks by government, including safety assessments to ensure the technology is protected against cyber and security threats, the DfT said.
Simon Lightwood, Roads and Buses Minister, said: “Self-driving vehicles represent a transformative opportunity for Britain, opening up independent travel for disabled people and older adults, whilst driving growth and creating high-skilled jobs across the UK.
“This pilot scheme brings that future closer, giving passengers the opportunity to experience self-driving travel first-hand while ensuring safety always comes first.”
Local transport authorities, such as Transport for London, will also need to provide local consent to ensure services “reflect local priorities”. Pilot findings will help develop self-driving vehicle regulations, which are currently being progressed by Government following a Call for Evidence which closed in March.
“Wayve has been developing its technology in the UK for nearly a decade, and we’re excited to bring our supervised passenger service to market here this year,” said Sarah Gates, VP, Global Affairs and Assurance at Wayve.
“Self-driving vehicles represent a generational opportunity to make road transport safer, more accessible and more convenient for millions of people. Beyond the societal benefits, this sector also has the potential to drive significant economic growth – revitalising the UK’s industrial base, creating high-skilled jobs, and strengthening the country’s position as a world-leading technology ecosystem.”
Sarfraz Maredia, Global Head of Autonomous Mobility & Delivery at Uber, added: “London has long been a pioneering city for Uber, where we’ve launched some of our biggest innovations, and we can’t wait to give people in the capital the chance to experience autonomous rides this year.”
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