UK Opens Applications for Supervised Self-Driving Vehicle Trials in London

The UK Government opened applications last week for operators to run trials of taxi, bus and private hire-style self-driving vehicles. Passengers will be able to book taxi and bus-style self-driving vehicles later in 2026. Wayve is partnering with Uber to place its systems on London streets.

Uber said it will charge the same rates for the self-driving vehicles as for its conventional minicabs. A human driver will sit behind the wheel during initial journeys. Uber plans to start with a small fleet before scaling operations.

Kaity Fischer, head of Wayve's robotaxi business, said the technology is ready. "We're looking forward to launching in London in the next couple of months," she told the Press Association. Wayve was founded in 2017 by two University of Cambridge students.

It will use its technology for commercial journeys for the first time in London. Drivers will eventually be able to select a self-driving option through Uber's X, Comfort and Electric journeys. Wayve also plans to expand to Tokyo later in 2026 and is working with Nissan and Stellantis to equip private vehicles.

Annie Duvnjak, leader of autonomous mobility operations at Uber, described the experience. "When you first get in, you look around and all of a sudden the car is driving, and it feels normal. You forget that you're in an autonomous vehicle, and that's the beauty of it," she said.

Duvnjak noted that self-driving vehicles would not suit every route or weather condition. Labour announced in 2025 that self-driving taxi and private hire services can begin trials from spring 2026. The government is fast-tracking autonomous vehicle pilot schemes.

The AV Act will be implemented in full from the second half of 2027. Labour projects the sector could be worth $42 billion by 2035. Waymo's vehicles are also testing across London ahead of a full launch later in 2026.