- Clock's ticking: Government consultation on self-driving vehicles closes 28th September
- Coming soon: Driverless taxis and private hire cars could hit UK roads from spring 2026
- Big change: Industry predicted to be worth £42bn by 2035, yet millions remain unaware
Brits have just weeks left to share their views on the future of self-driving vehicles, with government plans paving the way for driverless taxis and private hire cars to hit UK roads as early as spring 2026.
However, The Department for Transport's consultation on the Automated Passenger Services (APS) permitting scheme is not open for much longer, as it closes on 28th September.
If implemented, it could allow the first wave of driverless taxis, private hire cars and even bus-like services to operate without a safety driver for the first time — with passengers booking rides via an app.
The move follows the government's decision to fast-track pilots of self-driving vehicles, part of a wider push to unlock an industry expected to be worth £42 billion by 2035, supporting thousands of new jobs.
Imran Malek, Corporate Sales Manager at Trackdays.co.uk, says: "Millions of Brits might be blissfully unaware as to how close we are to seeing widespread self-driving vehicles on UK roads."
"This could be one of the last chances to have a say on a vitally important subject that will impact nearly all of us on a daily basis, and there's only a few weeks left to be heard."
The fast-tracking of pilots next spring will allow firms to pilot small-scale services without a safety driver for the first time, which might be available for the public to book via an app.
2027 then sees a potential wider roll out, when the Automated Vehicles Act is implemented in full. This Act will require self-driving vehicles to achieve a level of safety at least as high as competent and careful human drivers, while also undergoing rigorous safety tests before being allowed on the roads.
Imran adds: "It will be interesting to see what happens next spring with the possible arrival of self-driving taxis. Some will welcome the incredible technological advances while others will have reservations about jumping in a cab without a human behind the wheel."
In the meantime, you can explore our collection of Electric Car Driving Experiences and Driving Lessons that we have available to book at venues across the UK right here on Trackdays.
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