Driverless cars on UK roads by 2026

Driverless cars are now more than just a futuristic dream. They'll be on our roads by spring 2026.

A recent government announcement said that there could be self-driving taxi, private-hire, and bus type services from next year after a recent decision to fast-track pilot schemes.

So what does this mean for other road users? And how will we ask a self-driving taxi if it's "been busy this week?". In this guide, we'll look at the latest announcement and answer some key questions on self-driving cars.

First self-driving public transport could be on the road by spring 2026

The government is fast-tracking self-driving passenger vehicles to Spring 2026.

This is sort of a soft launch where firms can pilot small-scale services without a safety driver for the first time. So, from next year, you could book a ride in one of these vehicles via an app.

The government hopes for a full roll-out in the second half of 2027. That's when the Automated Vehicles Act is implemented in full - more on this later.

But are we ready for it? Earlier this year, a man in Arizona got trapped inside a driverless car. He couldn't stop or get help, and nearly missed his flight.

You could put this down to teething problems - and hopefully it's just a one-off. But being such a new type of technology, it's no surprise that people are nervous about hopping in.

That said, self-driving cars offer great opportunities for those who can't drive, or live in rural areas.

There's also a safety bonus, as those who work late or really early could book a self-driving vehicle and not worry about falling asleep behind the wheel.

It's a startling fact that human error contributes to 88% of all road collisions. So, this leap forward for self-driving vehicles could be a good way to reduce this.

Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said:

What are driverless cars?

Driverless, or self-driving cars, are fully automated vehicles that can get you from A to B without you touching the steering wheel.

Driverless cars use artificial intelligence to respond to the road like a human driver. They're sometimes known as autonomous cars as they can understand their environment without our involvement.

At the moment, the government is only launching self-driving tech in taxis, buses and private hire vehicles. But there are elements of self-driving technology in personal vehicles, like automated lane keeping systems, self-parking technology and speed limiters.

The first self-driving cars for personal use will still need a human driver. In most cases, accidents that happen while in autonomous mode will be treated as the fault of the manufacturer. The insurer will be liable, rather than the 'driver.'

However, there are many factors to consider when determining liability after an accident, and the driver's actions and behaviours will also be considered.

Are personal self-driving cars legal in the UK?

No, personal self-driving cars are not yet legal for unsupervised use on UK roads.

The Automated Vehicles (AV) Act became law 20 May 2024 in the UK. The law sets out the safety standards and processes for automated vehicles. Further regulations are due to be laid out in 2025 to 2026.

The law's main focus is to cut down on human error and improve road safety. The motor industry is a key driver in autonomous vehicle testing. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) is focusing on ensuring high safety standards in driverless cars. They're working with Thatcham Research and vehicle manufacturers to develop safety technology in self-driving vehicles.

While personal self-driving cars are not yet legal, many cars have autonomous features today. Adaptive cruise control and lane control might not make us feel like James Bond, but they enhance driver safety.

What rules and laws do driverless cars have to follow?

The UK is one of the only countries in the world that has legal guidance on self-driving cars. The AV Act states that driverless cars must 'achieve a level of safety at least as high as careful and competent human drivers.' But what does this really mean?

The Department for Transport (DfT) proposed changes to the Highway Code in April 2022.

Self-driving cars must be as safe and careful as competent human drivers. Before making it onto the road they need to pass a 'self-driving test.' This ensures they can travel autonomously and safely. They'll also need:

• Data security: In case of an accident, self-driving cars must have working data-logging equipment.
• The Highway Code: All self-driving cars must follow the usual rules of the road. A new section is being added to the Highway Code to make the expectations for AV users clear.
• Insurance: The Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 states that the motor insurer is primarily liable for accidents involving driverless cars. This means that the injured person can make a claim against the insurer. The insurer could then seek compensation from the manufacturer if the accident was caused by a system error. For example, faulty sensors or other manufacturing issues.

The rules also make it clear that the driver should take back control of the car if prompted.

Do I need car insurance to travel in an autonomous car?

When it comes to car insurance, autonomous cars can make things a little more complicated. The Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 outlines regulations for the insurance of driverless cars.

It states that if the car is in self-driving mode, the insurer or manufacturer is responsible for any accidents or damages that occur. But if it's not properly insured, the car's owner will be liable.

The act also goes into the specifics of software in driverless cars. If car owners don't install 'safety-critical' software updates insurance could be invalidated. Self-driving cars may need different insurance coverage than other vehicles too. This is to account for malfunctions in autonomous technology.

But if you're using a self-driving taxi or bus, you won't need insurance. Just like you wouldn't need insurance if you're using a regular bus or taxi.

Our guide delves into some more challenges insurers might face with driverless cars.

What changes can we expect to driverless cars in the future?

Driverless cars are expected to change the environment, and the designs of our cities. They'll also make a big change to how we get from A to B. Here are a few main changes that driverless cars may bring:

• Improved road safety: Driverless cars can cut down on the number of accidents caused by human error. Using sensors and cameras, they can sense the road ahead, weather conditions, and other cars.
• City design: It's likely that driverless cars will be more compact than traditional cars. This could free up space for bigger pavements, bike lanes, and more pedestrian-focused areas.
• Mobility: Driverless cars could be a gamechanger for the elderly or people with disabilities. If long commutes are less of a problem, more people might choose to move further away from the office. This could mean more people living in rural areas rather than in cities.
• Environment: Driverless cars could make our planet healthier. They're less likely to get into traffic jams as they can reduce idling, travelling closer together with other cars. They're also more efficient, thanks to smoother acceleration and braking. This can reduce the amount of fuel they consume.
• Features: Looking further into the future, features like steering wheels, foot pedals, and car mirrors could become obsolete.
• Communication: Driverless cars can communicate with other vehicles and infrastructure, such as traffic lights, car parks, and street signs.

Who are the main manufacturers of driverless cars?

Many well-known brands have started developing the technology for driverless cars:

• Microsoft: In 2021 Microsoft announced a partnership with Volkswagen Group's Car Software Organisation to develop self-driving cars. The tech and car giants are collaborating on a cloud-based Automated Driving Platform.
• Uber Technologies: Uber has been in the self-driving race since 2016. In 2022 Uber announced plans to launch a fully driverless car service in collaboration with the company Motional.
• Tesla: Tesla is one of the top 5 manufacturers of self-driving cars. They're one of the most well-known names when it comes to autonomous vehicles.
• General Motors - Cruise: One of the largest self-driving car manufacturers is General Motors. They bought the self-driving start-up Cruise in 2016.
• Alphabet - Waymo: Waymo began developing autonomous vehicles in 2009. Their website states that their self-driving cars have been tested on 20 billion miles (both on the road and simulated).