“Robotaxis” granted licence to operate in London as questions grow over TfL’s powers

Self‑driving taxis have moved a step closer to operating in London after Transport for London (TfL) granted private hire licences to a fleet of autonomous vehicles using technology developed by British firm Wayve. The approval allows Uber to begin offering limited autonomous journeys later this year, but only under strict conditions that require a qualified human driver to remain behind the wheel and responsible for the vehicle at all times.

The decision marks the completion of the “triple‑lock” required for private hire operations in London, where the operator, driver and vehicle must all hold licences issued by the same authority. Inspectors confirmed that the electric Ford Mustang Mach‑Es equipped with Wayve’s AI‑driven system met TfL’s policy and safety standards, including alignment with the Mayor’s target of eliminating all deaths and serious injuries on London’s roads by 2041.

The vehicles have been modified with roof‑mounted camera pods, mirror‑integrated sensors and small radar units. Although the autonomous system will control the vehicle during the pilot, drivers must remain ready to take over and will be legally responsible for the journey. Any future move to operate without a human driver would require separate approval from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Uber said more than 100,000 Londoners had registered interest in trying the robotaxis, with selected users expected to be offered rides “later this summer” ahead of a wider public launch. Wayve, founded in 2017 by two University of Cambridge PhD students, described the licence as an “important step” towards commercial deployment. London will be the first city in the world to use its technology for paid journeys, and the company is also working with manufacturers including Nissan and Stellantis to integrate its systems into private vehicles.

The rollout has prompted renewed scrutiny of TfL’s regulatory powers, particularly after the authority confirmed it could limit autonomous private hire vehicles to a maximum of 15 during early deployment. TaxiPoint reporting highlighted the awkward question this raises for the wider industry: why TfL can impose a numerical cap on autonomous PHVs but not on conventional private hire vehicles, whose numbers have grown significantly over the past decade.

TfL has said the cap is necessary to manage safety, data requirements and operational oversight during the initial phase of autonomous deployment. However, minicab unions argue that the move signals the beginning of a shift that could ultimately threaten driver jobs. The Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association has been approached for comment.

Members of the London Assembly Transport Committee have also raised concerns about the balance of regulatory control between TfL and central government. Under the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 and the Automated Passenger Services Regulations 2026, TfL acts as a consenting authority rather than the licensing authority for autonomous services, with the DVSA holding the power to grant, vary or withdraw permits. Assembly members have warned that this split‑regulation model risks weakening London’s established licensing framework at a time when autonomous fleets are entering the city.

Despite the tensions, TfL maintains that safety remains its “top priority” and that any new vehicle licensed to carry passengers must meet stringent standards. The authority says the cautious, driver‑supervised phase is essential to ensure autonomous systems can be deployed responsibly in London’s complex road environment.

With Wayve’s vehicles now licensed, Uber preparing for public trials and regulators refining the permitting regime, London is entering a new stage in the development of autonomous transport. The debate over how many robotaxis should operate — and who should ultimately control them — is likely to intensify as the technology moves from pilot to mainstream use.