News, 25 July 2025
New motoring legislation is set to be introduced in the UK within the coming months, coinciding with the initial deployment of autonomous vehicles. Lilian Greenwood, a Labour Party MP and minister, has launched a public consultation on the automated passenger services (APS) licensing framework, along with its accompanying draft statutory instrument. Ms. Greenwood is actively encouraging both the public and industry stakeholders to contribute their views on the future of autonomous vehicle technology.
The Automated Passenger Services (APS) framework forms the foundational element of the new Automated Vehicles Act. This Act, slated for full implementation in late 2027, will govern the operation of self-driving taxis, bus-style services, and private hire vehicles. Notably, the government has fast-tracked trials of autonomous passenger transport to commence in spring 2026, marking the first time companies will be permitted to conduct limited-scale operations without a safety driver.
Advancing these autonomous vehicle trials is projected to create 38,000 employment opportunities, boosting household incomes and stimulating investment to support British engineering expertise. This burgeoning sector is anticipated to be valued at £42 billion by 2035.
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood, in comments reported by Birmingham Live, underscored the transformative potential of self-driving vehicles, particularly for individuals in rural areas or those unable to drive. She conveyed the government’s strong commitment to working alongside the public and industry to guarantee the safety and accessibility of this evolving transportation solution as it is rolled out.
The AV Act implementation programme has been designed to maximise innovation, enabling investors and operators to develop and deploy the creative mobility solutions that can drive growth. This comes as part of a government-wide programme of work using artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver the Plan for Change, with AVs being a clear example of how AI will bring tangible benefits to the public.
