Calls grow for ministers to give TfL full regulatory control over autonomous taxi services

Pressure is mounting on ministers to give Transport for London (TfL) full authority over the regulation and licensing of autonomous taxi services, as driverless vehicles begin operating on London’s streets and commercial robotaxi deployment moves closer.

The debate has intensified following new trials by major operators. Baidu’s Apollo Go robotaxi began testing in Brent this month in partnership with Freenow by Lyft, joining Waymo and Wayve, which are already preparing autonomous taxi services for the capital. These developments mark the first visible phase of London’s transition towards automated passenger transport, with further trials expected in 2026 ahead of wider rollout in 2027 under the Government’s automated vehicles programme.

Under current arrangements, the Department for Transport (DfT) authorises autonomous vehicles for use on public roads, while TfL retains licensing powers for paid passenger services and must provide consent before commercial operations can begin. Senior transport figures warn that this split‑regulation model risks weakening London’s established licensing framework at a time when autonomous fleets are actively entering the city.

Caroline Russell, chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, said ministers were “controlling the regulation of all of this when TfL should have a licensing role,” stressing that London must have oversight of operational rules, data‑sharing requirements and safety expectations before large‑scale deployment. She warned that “there’s all sorts of issues around that London’s got to get on top of before anything gets unleashed on our streets.”

TfL Commissioner Andy Lord has also raised concerns that central government could dilute devolved powers during the rollout. He told Assembly members that “there is a risk here… that the Department for Transport would have greater regulation on autonomous vehicles than TfL currently has,” emphasising the need for clarity as operators prepare permit applications.

The Government has confirmed that TfL and London boroughs will act as consenting authorities under the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 and the Automated Vehicles (Permits for Automated Passenger Services) Regulations 2026, responsible for assessing local impacts and alignment with the Mayor’s Transport Strategy. Industry bodies, including the Institute of Licensing, have stressed that autonomous taxi‑style services must meet the same safety, accountability and licensing expectations as human‑driven taxis and private hire vehicles, with robust local safeguards built into the permitting scheme.