Government launch call for evidence on the rollout of self-driving vehicles

The UK Government has opened a consultation to shape how self-driving vehicles will be introduced across Great Britain. The Department for Transport is inviting views from charities, businesses, and local authorities on safety, accessibility, and public confidence as part of the next stage in implementing the Automated Vehicles Act 2024. The evidence gathered will inform secondary legislation and guidance, paving the way for licensed automated passenger vehicles (APVs) to operate on British roads.

The Institute of Licensing (IoL) has responded by emphasising the importance of clear local consent and robust safeguards. It warned that without strong local oversight, communities risk losing control over passenger transport standards. The IoL called for transparent permitting schemes and protections for vulnerable passengers to ensure public trust in automated services.

Under Section 83 of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024, licensed APVs are exempt from local authority taxi and private hire licensing. However, before any APV may operate as a taxi in a given area, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) must seek consent from the relevant local licensing authority. This dual approach is designed to balance national standards with local oversight, ensuring consistency while allowing communities to decide whether automated services are appropriate for their area.

The consultation highlights the government’s ambition to foster innovation while safeguarding communities. By embedding local consent within a national framework, policymakers aim to deliver a rollout that is technologically advanced, safe, and accountable.