A new GB regulatory regime for self-driving vehicles built on the Automated Vehicles Act 2024, comprising authorisation of vehicles against a self-driving test, licensing of authorised self-driving entities and no-user-in-charge operators, a statutory Statement of Safety Principles, an Automated Passenger Services (APS) permitting scheme, marketing-term restrictions and a reworked criminal liability framework.
The framework determines when and how driverless cars, shuttles, taxis and bus-like services can operate commercially on British roads from 2026, allocating safety, liability and enforcement responsibilities between manufacturers, operators, users and the state; it underpins ministerial commitments to enable commercial pilots without safety drivers from spring 2026.
Part 5 of the AV Act (APS permits) and s.93 (traffic-regulation information) commenced on 15 May 2026 by SI 2026/437; SI 2026/439 sets the permit procedure; the December 2025 – March 2026 call for evidence on the wider framework (Statement of Safety Principles, authorisation, operator licensing) has closed and government is preparing further secondary legislation and guidance.
Primary legislation establishing the GB regulatory regime: authorisation of automated vehicles (Part 1), criminal liability and user-in-charge (Part 2), policing/investigation (Part 3), marketing restrictions (Part 4), APS permits (Part 5).
Statutory call for evidence on the principles against which the Secretary of State must judge self-driving safety; foundational for authorisation decisions.
Implements Part 4 by restricting terms like 'self-driving' to authorised AVs; closed September 2025.
Wide-ranging call for evidence covering Statement of Safety Principles, vehicle authorisation, operator licensing for no-user-in-charge use, information gathering and incident investigation.
Government's pre-enactment scoping of how delegated powers in the AV Bill would be exercised through secondary legislation.
2022 strategy paper setting the policy frame and ambition for the legislative regime that became the 2024 Act.
Sets maximum 5-year permit validity, renewal windows (6–2 months before expiry), grounds for variation/suspension/withdrawal, urgent-suspension procedure, internal review, and information-disclosure gateways for APS operators.
Commences Part 5 (excluding s.84 civil sanctions and s.89(8)(b)/(10)) and s.93 on 15 May 2026, completing the legal underpinning for APS permit issue from that date.
First commencement order: brought ss.55, 56, partial 78, 88, 89 into force on 1 January 2026, principally to enable regulation-making powers.
DfT/CCAV programme document setting out phased implementation of the Act, including sequencing of safety principles, authorisation framework, operator licensing and APS permits.
Government response to the APS consultation, confirming the SI design and independent safety assessment/monitoring/enforcement approach.
Operational guidance setting out application process, safety, operational and reporting requirements for pilot deployments from spring 2026.
Companion guidance for police, fire and ambulance services on dealing with vehicles operating in the pilot.
Explains how licensing authorities (taxi/PHV) and relevant franchising bodies engage with the consent procedure under ss.85–86 of the Act.
Regulatory Policy Committee scrutiny of DfT's options assessment underpinning SI 2026/439.
Parliamentary briefing summarising AV technology, risks and policy issues for legislators.
Library briefing prepared for the 28 October 2025 Westminster Hall debate led by Sarah Coombes MP.
PAC scrutiny noting that AV technology will need to operate on existing highway infrastructure, with no immediate change in road-maintenance practice expected.
Comparative regulatory-sanctions study commissioned to inform DfT's design of civil sanctions under the AV Act (Schedule 1 and s.84).
75 recommendations on safety assurance, civil and criminal liability and the regulatory framework that underpin the 2024 Act.
Directly designed SI 2026/439.
Final form of the APS permit procedure.
Statutory hook for authorisation decisions; foundational to authorisation regime.
Operationalises the protected-terms regime.
Sweeps across the remaining secondary-legislation pipeline including authorisation, operator licensing and information powers.
Self-driving vehicles could be on British roads by 2026, after the government's world-leading Automated Vehicles (AV) Act became law today.
Why linked: Royal Assent press release setting the 2026 commercial deployment commitment.
Today I can announce that the Government will accelerate the introduction of automated passenger services regulations, subject to the outcome of a consultation later this summer.
Why linked: Greenwood WMS (HCWS692) committed Labour to bringing APS regulations forward.
From Spring 2026, commercial firms would be able to pilot self-driving vehicles on England's roads without a safety driver, for the first time.
Why linked: June 2025 announcement reported in Commons Library briefing.
Earlier instruments and documents in the same policy lineage — superseded by something on this thread, surfaced for context.
In response to: Automated vehicles: protecting marketing terms
Why linked: 12 May 2026 DfT–Wayve partnership announcement — material recent development with the flagship UK self-driving industrial counterparty.
Partnership will put the UK at the forefront of next generation self-driving technology
Direction: to_committee
Why linked: Sets the operational permitting scheme that delivers Section 6 of the Act.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to increase road safety.
Why linked: The Bill itself — foundation of the AV regulatory regime.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of delivery robots on wheelchair users and visually-impaired people.
Why linked: Written question pressing the Department on AV implementation timeline.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of delivery robots operating on pavements on public safety.
Why linked: Impact assessment cited in the Bill explanatory notes.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the criminal liability framework applicable in cases where (a) autonomous and (b) connected vehicles cause (i) death and (ii) serious injury.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the increasing use of AI-driven personalised marketing by large retailers; and what steps they are taking to ensure that regulatory frameworks relating to consumer protection, data use and
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of requiring independent safety assessments before AI systems with dangerous offensive capabilities are developed.
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the timetable for full implementation of the Public Service Vehicle (Accessible Information) Regulations 2023.
Why linked: Same domain (transport) but no direct lineage to the AV Act.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she is considering mandating an assessment of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems as part of the MOT test.
Why linked: Lords mirror WMS HLWS1545 for the April 2026 APS permitting scheme statement (HCWS1537).
UIN: HLWS1545 My Honourable Friend, the Parliamentary Under Secretary for Transport (Simon Lightwood), has made the following Ministerial Statement.This statement provides an update on the Government’s work to enable the automated passenger services permitting scheme f...
Why linked: Companion research entry for the RPC opinion on the APS permitting scheme.
Regulatory Policy Committee opinion of the options assessment for the scheme submitted by the Department for Transport.
Why linked: RPC opinion on APS permitting scheme options — formal regulatory scrutiny of the SI 2026/439 options assessment.
RPC opinion on APS permitting scheme options — formal regulatory scrutiny of the SI 2026/439 options assessment.
In response to: RPC opinion: automated passenger services permitting scheme options
Why linked: Government response to the APS permitting scheme consultation, published 23 April 2026 alongside SI 2026/439.
The safety of automated passenger services (APS) will be independently assessed, monitored and enforced to ensure they operate responsibly in Great Britain.
UIN: HCWS1537 This statement provides an update on the Government’s work to enable the automated passenger services permitting scheme from this spring, a key step in implementing the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 and supporting economic growth through the safe deployment...
These Regulations detail certain procedural and administrative matters to enable the permitting regime for automated passenger services in Part 5 of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 (c. 10) to function. An automated passenger service is a service that consists of …
In response to: Automated passenger services: permitting scheme
Seeks views on the proposed automated passenger services statutory instrument (SI) to support the deployment of commercial self-driving pilots.
These Regulations detail certain procedural and administrative matters to enable the permitting regime for automated passenger services in Part 5 of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 (c. 10) to function. An automated passenger service is a service that consists of …
These Regulations are the second commencement Regulations made under the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 (c. 10) (“the Act”). They bring into force specified provisions of the Act.
These Regulations are the second commencement Regulations made under the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 (c. 10) (“the Act”). They bring into force specified provisions of the Act.
Why linked: Companion 'other' record for the first-responder guidance — same operational artefact.
Companion 'other' record for the first-responder guidance — same operational artefact.
In response to: Self-driving vehicle pilot scheme: information for first responders
Why linked: Self-driving vehicle pilot scheme: information for first responders (31 March 2026) — operational implementation document.
Dealing with vehicles taking part in the self-driving vehicle pilot scheme as a first responder.
Why linked: Self-driving vehicle pilot scheme: information for applicants (31 March 2026) — practical front door to the regime.
Outlines the application process and safety, operational and reporting requirements for self-driving vehicle pilot deployments.
Why linked: Filled the "Detailed regulatory guidance and codes of practice on safety standards" gap via web research
In response to: Self-driving vehicle pilot scheme: information for applicants
Why linked: DfT guidance specifically on the APS permitting scheme and roles of local authorities under Part 5 of the AV Act — directly on this thread.
An overview of the automated passenger services scheme and the roles of local authorities and transport bodies in considering deployments.
Public understanding of vehicle automation terms — 31 March 2026 · Research and analysis. Understanding human factors in advanced driver assistance systems: an evidence review — 31 March 2026 · Research and analysis.
Why linked: Matched expansion phrase: Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999
These Regulations amend the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999/2864). The effect of the amendment is to require that applications under regulation 31(1)(a) (applications for manoeuvres tests, large vehicle off road manoeuvres tests, practical tests, and unitary tests:applicants …
Automated vehicles (AVs), also referred to as autonomous, driverless, or self-driving vehicles, refers to vehicles using a combination of sensors, computation, and AI to perform the driving task for a sustained period during a trip.
This call for evidence ran from 10:45am on 4 December 2025 to 11:59pm on 5 March 2026. Seeks views on several sections of the Automated Vehicles Act to support development of the regulatory framework.
This call for evidence ran from 10:45am on 4 December 2025 to 11:59pm on 5 March 2026. Seeks views on several sections of the Automated Vehicles Act to support development of the regulatory framework.
Why linked: Direct gov.uk landing page for the Dec 2025–Mar 2026 call for evidence on the AV regulatory framework — the cross-cutting consultation underpinning the next round of secondary legislation.
This call for evidence ended 5 March 2026.
These Regulations are the first commencement Regulations made under the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 (c. 10) (“the Act”). They bring into force specified provisions of the Act.
These Regulations are the first commencement Regulations made under the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 (c. 10) (“the Act”). They bring into force specified provisions of the Act.
Why linked: Matched expansion phrase: Road Traffic Act 1988
Notification on a procedural error related to the use of certified reference materials in the undertaking of FSA- DTN 102.
These Regulations are the first commencement Regulations made under the Automated Vehicles Act 2024. Regulation 2 commences, on 1st January 2026, specified provisions of the Act.
Direction: to_committee
As automated vehicle technologies develop, we want to ensure that they do so in ways that strengthen safety, widen access and safeguard the public.
UIN: HCWS1131 I wish to provide the House with an update on further steps the government is taking to implement the Automated Vehicles (AV) Act 2024 and kickstart economic growth. Self-driving vehicles have the potential to increase opportunities and break …
UIN: HLWS1130 My Honourable Friend, the Parliamentary Under Secretary for Transport (Simon Lightwood) has made the following Ministerial Statement.I wish to provide the House with an update on further steps the government is taking to implement the Automated Vehicles (...
This call for evidence ran from 10:45am on 4 December 2025 to 11:59pm on 5 March 2026. Seeks views on several sections of the Automated Vehicles Act to support development of the regulatory framework.
Today (4 December 2025), the government is asking road users, industry and disability groups to help shape the framework, which will ensure self-driving technology is safely introduced on Britain's roads.
Today (4 December 2025), we have published an ambitious call for evidence on developing the AV regulatory framework. This call for evidence will help inform secondary legislation, guidance and policy development.
Today, we have published an ambitious call for evidence on developing the AV regulatory framework. This call for evidence will help inform secondary legislation, guidance and policy development.
This call for evidence ran from 10:45am on 4 December 2025 to 11:59pm on 5 March 2026. Seeks views on several sections of the Automated Vehicles Act to support development of the regulatory framework.
I beg to move, That this House has considered connected and automated vehicles. Yesterday, I jumped in a car with a couple of other people near King's Cross station... the car was driving itself.
Type: Commons Debate Pack (CDP-2025-0201) A debate on connected and automated vehicles has been scheduled for Wednesday 28 October 2025 in Westminster Hall, from 2:30pm to 4pm. It will be opened by Sarah Coombes MP.
Seeks views on the proposed automated passenger services statutory instrument (SI) to support the deployment of commercial self-driving pilots.
Seeks views on protecting the use of certain terms in vehicle marketing so they can only be used for authorised automated (self-driving) vehicles.
Why linked: DfT-commissioned research on automated vehicles and sanctions systems to inform sanctions design under the AV Act 2024.
Identifies how regulators in different sectors apply sanctions, and what can be learnt to inform the use of sanctions under the Automated Vehicles Act 2024.
Direction: to_committee
Why linked: Lords mirror WMS HLWS858 on the APS permitting scheme launch.
UIN: HLWS858 My Right Honourable friend, the Secretary of State for Transport (Heidi Alexander), has made the following Ministerial Statement.I wish to provide the House with an update on steps the government is taking to progress the implementation of automated …
Why linked: WMS HCWS858 announcing the July 2025 launch of the APS permitting scheme consultation.
UIN: HCWS858 I wish to provide the House with an update on steps the government is taking to progress the implementation of automated passenger services (APS) regulations to kickstart economic growth, a top priority in the Government’s Plan for Change.The …
Why linked: Citizen Space landing page for the July 2025 APS permitting scheme consultation.
Have your say on the proposals that will help regulate new self-driving vehicle passenger services.
Today (21 July 2025), Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood has launched a consultation on the automated passenger services (APS) permitting scheme.
Seeks views on the proposed automated passenger services statutory instrument (SI) to support the deployment of commercial self-driving pilots.
Direction: to_committee
Why linked: DfT research on emergency responses by people with protected characteristics in APS, directly relevant to APS safety and accessibility provisions in the permitting scheme.
A study that explores how people with protected characteristics may respond to emergencies in automated passenger services.
Why linked: DfT research on driver roles and inclusivity in automated passenger services, directly informing the APS permitting scheme design and accessibility considerations.
Explores non-driving-related roles carried out by drivers and identifies solutions that could be used for future automated passenger services.
Why linked: Statement of Safety Principles call for evidence (closed 1 Sept 2025) — directly required by s.2 AV Act 2024.
This call for evidence ended 1 September 2025.
UIN: HLWS691 My Honourable Friend, the Parliamentary Under Secretary for Transport (Lilian Greenwood) has made the following Ministerial Statement.I wish to provide the House with an update on steps the government is taking to implement the Automated Vehicles (AV) Act...
An update on the work being done to implement the Automated Vehicles (AV) Act 2024.
Why linked: Protected marketing terms consultation — directly operationalises Part 4 AV Act 2024.
Seeks views on protecting the use of certain terms in vehicle marketing so they can only be used for authorised automated (self-driving) vehicles.
Why linked: Statement of Safety Principles call-for-evidence landing page — directly tied to s.2 AV Act 2024.
Seeks views on what safety standards should be sought for automated (self-driving) vehicles in the UK.
Why linked: Filled the "Detailed regulatory guidance and standards development under the Statement of Safety Principles" gap via web research
In response to: Automated vehicles: statement of safety principles
UIN: HCWS692 I wish to provide the House with an update on steps the government is taking to implement the Automated Vehicles (AV) Act 2024 and kickstart economic growth, a top priority in the Government’s Plan for Change. The AV …
Today (10 June 2025) I can announce that the government will accelerate the introduction of automated passenger services (APS) regulations, subject to the outcome of a consultation later this summer.
Today I can announce that the Government will accelerate the introduction of automated passenger services regulations, subject to the outcome of a consultation later this summer.
Section 2 of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 requires the Secretary of State for Transport to prepare a statement of safety principles. This call for evidence will be one of the first in a suite of public consultations to support …
Seeks views on protecting the use of certain terms in vehicle marketing so they can only be used for authorised automated (self-driving) vehicles.
Why linked: Lords PQ HL on regulating self-driving delivery robots on pavements — surfaces the wider self-driving regulatory perimeter at issue in Glover's Commons PQs.
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans the Regulatory Innovation Office has for regulating self-driving delivery robots that operate primarily on pavements, alongside regulation of airborne drones.
Why linked: Lords PQ asking which DfT unit is responsible for policy on self-driving pavement delivery robots — directly tied to ongoing AV accessibility scrutiny on this thread.
To ask His Majesty's Government which unit or team in the Department for Transport is responsible for policy relating to self-driving delivery robots that operate primarily on pavements.
Why linked: Lords PQ on whether local authorities will have a right to withhold consent for APS operators under the AV Act 2024 — direct framework question.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether, in implementing the Automated Vehicles Act 2024, they plan to give local authorities the right to withhold consent for an automated passenger services operator permit to be granted; and if so, which tier of …
Why linked: Lords PQ specifically asking which body will hold responsibility for issuing APS permits under the AV Act 2024 — direct scrutiny of Part 5 implementation.
To ask His Majesty's Government what body will hold responsibility for the issuing of permits for operators of automated passenger services under the Automated Vehicles Act 2024.
Why linked: Lords PQ asking about AI-powered self-driving cars and safety measures — directly thread-relevant.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of artificial intelligence powered self-driving cars; and what plans they have to introduce safety measures for self-driving cars.
Why linked: Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 regulatory report 2024 — predecessor insurance/liability regime report relevant to understanding the liability framework context of the AV Act.
Progress report on the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Why linked: DfT 'Automated Vehicles Act implementation programme' guidance — the central programme document for delivering the AV Act 2024.
A programme for the safe deployment of automated vehicles and implementing the Automated Vehicles Act 2024.
Why linked: Written evidence on DfT's approach to AV technology and existing highway infrastructure, directly relevant to the authorisation and safety framework under the AV Act.
However, the Department also set out that autonomous vehicle technology would need to be capable of safely operating using existing highway infrastructure and so does not expect to make any immediate changes to road maintenance practices. The Department told us …
Why linked: DfT/CCAV research on regaining situational awareness in AVs — evidence base for transition demands under s.7.
Explores how users of self-driving vehicles respond to a request to resume manual driving.
Why linked: Letter from the DfT Permanent Secretary on autonomous vehicles follow-up to the local roads inquiry — committee correspondence on the AV regime.
Direction: to_committee
Why linked: POSTbrief PB-0062 on automated vehicles — parliamentary research baseline.
Type: POSTbrief (POST-PB-0062) This POSTbrief explains what automated vehicles are and how they work. It outlines developments in the UK, benefits and concerns and policy considerations.
Self-driving vehicles could be on British roads by 2026, after the government's world-leading Automated Vehicles (AV) Act became law today (20 May 2024).
An Act to regulate the use of automated vehicles on roads and in other public places; and to make other provision in relation to vehicle automation.
Self-driving vehicles could be on British roads by 2026, after the government's world-leading Automated Vehicles (AV) Act became law today (20 May 2024).
In response to: Self-driving vehicles: new safety ambition
Seeks views on our proposed safety ambition for self-driving vehicles to form the foundation of a new self-driving vehicle safety framework.
Why linked: May 2024 Wayve $1.05bn funding — material industrial-context event for the regime and precursor to the May 2026 partnership.
British AI company Wayve announces $1.05 billion investment to develop the next generation of AI-powered self-driving vehicles
Type: Commons Briefing Paper (CBP-10011) A Bill to create a legal framework for the safe deployment of self-driving vehicles in Great Britain will have its remaining stages on 1 May 2024.
Type: Commons Briefing Paper (CBP-9973) A Bill to create a legal framework for the safe deployment of self-driving vehicles in Great Britain will have its second reading on 5 March 2024.
In response to: Automated Vehicles Bill 2023
The 2023 Automated Vehicles Bill will set the legal framework for the safe deployment of self-driving vehicles in Great Britain.
Why linked: February 2024 Chancellor's commissioned study on CAV — Treasury-side economic framing of the regime.
February 2024 Chancellor's commissioned study on CAV — Treasury-side economic framing of the regime.
In response to: Chancellor commissions new study on connected and autonomous vehicles and mobility
Why linked: Lords PQ on post-legislative review of AEVA 2018 — directly relevant to AV Act 2024 predecessor framework.
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to undertake post-legislative review of (1) the Automated and Electrical Vehicles Act 2018, (2) the Haulage Permits and Trailer Registration Act 2018, (3) the Laser Misuse (Vehicles) Act 2018, and (4) …
Why linked: RPC green-rated opinion on DfT's AV Bill IA — independent regulatory scrutiny of the primary Act.
Regulatory Policy Committee opinion on DfT's Automated Vehicles Bill IA
Why linked: Lords scrutiny report covering the AV Bill alongside other measures.
Lords scrutiny report covering the AV Bill alongside other measures.
Why linked: Filled the "Detailed regulatory guidance and codes of practice on safety standards" gap via web research
In response to: Trialling automated vehicle technologies in public
Why linked: Government funding announcement (£150m to 2030) for self-driving technologies — fiscal context to the regime.
Up to £150 million of funding to 2030 to support the UK’s position among world leaders in self-driving technologies.
Direction: unknown
Why linked: Lords Library briefing LLN-2023-0045 on the AV Bill — the parliamentary briefing baseline for the Act.
Type: Lords Library Note (LLN-2023-0045) The Automated Vehicles Bill would put into place measures announced in the 2023 King’s Speech to set up a legal framework to enable self-driving cars in the UK. It would establish a regulatory regime for …
Why linked: Lords Library Note on the Automated Vehicles Bill HL 2023-24, providing background analysis of the legislation that became the AV Act 2024.
Type: Lords Library Note (LLN-2023-0045) The Automated Vehicles Bill would put into place measures announced in the 2023 King’s Speech to set up a legal framework to enable self-driving cars in the UK. It would establish a regulatory regime for …
Why linked: Government announcement of new laws to safely roll out self-driving vehicles — direct regime publicity.
Self-driving vehicles will help make travel more convenient and accessible, improving the lives of millions of people who can not drive.
In response to: Finding the way forward: Location data to enable connected and automated mobility
New Geospatial Commission report highlights the power of location data in the safe deployment of connected and self-driving road vehicles.
Why linked: October 2023 announcement on mass-transit AV services in rural/urban areas — APS service-design precedent.
Local Authorities and regional transport operators will study how self-driving vehicle technology can improve local transport in remote, rural, and urban areas.
Why linked: Transport Committee position on driver-skill atrophy and growing UIC demands — engages s.7 transition demands.
Greater automation will reduce time spent driving. Over time drivers may become less practised and therefore less skilled. Conversely, the demands on drivers will grow as they will be called upon to retake control of vehicles in challenging circumstances with …
Why linked: Transport Committee finding on AV potential and use cases — relevant context for APS permitting scope.
There is a broad range of possible uses for self-driving vehicles, and we believe they have the potential to improve transport connectivity with significant safety, productivity, and mobility benefits. However, over the last decade, progress in this technology has failed …
Why linked: Transport Committee position that AV safety advantages are not given — directly informs authorisation threshold.
While it is widely assumed that self-driving vehicles will prove safer than human drivers, this is not a given. Optimistic predictions are often based on widespread self- driving vehicle usage that is decades away, or assertions about human error that …
Why linked: Transport Committee realism on AV technology limits — frames the s.2 Statement of Safety Principles debate.
Hopefully expectations of self-driving vehicle technology have become more realistic. Self-driving vehicles that can go anywhere at any time remain purely hypothetical, but in more circumscribed forms they can become reality. Nobody is likely to be taking a self-driving vehicle …
Why linked: Transport Committee finding that AVs should not impose new responsibilities on other road users — engages Part 2 user-in-charge / Highway Code interface.
The introduction of self-driving vehicles to the UK’s roads will affect all road users. We believe that this should not impose new responsibilities on other road users and pedestrians, limit their access to, or use of, public infrastructure or, crucially, …
Why linked: Transport Committee position on connected-vehicle data access and safety-led culture — directly engages the regime's information-sharing architecture.
Connected vehicles pose new dangers, which the law must evolve to meet. A safety- led culture will require wide access to data, and this must be a higher priority than commercial confidentiality. Ensuring self-driving vehicles are roadworthy will be more …
Why linked: Transport Committee point on AV infrastructure dependencies — relevant to s.93 traffic-regulation information regime.
Self-driving vehicles will need well-maintained roads and signage, nationwide connectivity, and up-to-date digital information about the road network. While some steps have been taken towards this by the Government and public bodies, these preparations are too siloed and divorced from …
Why linked: Transport Committee finding on unresolved policy issues including data access and roadworthiness — maps to ss.14–23 information powers.
The Government has put good structures in place, but it is not enough just to participate in or facilitate conversations about unresolved policy issues, including access to data, verifying roadworthiness, legal liability and insurance implications. If self-driving vehicles are to …
Why linked: Transport Committee recommendation that government adopt a cautious, gradual approach — directly informs the regime's safety architecture.
In principle we welcome the introduction of self-driving vehicles, but the Government must take a cautious, gradual approach with the technology introduced only in well- defined and appropriate contexts. As such, we broadly welcome the strategy the Government has set …
Why linked: Transport Committee report finding on the UK self-driving sector — directly relevant to the regime's commercial framing.
The self-driving vehicle sector is a British success story. We were impressed, unfailingly so, by the energy, creativity, and expertise of all those we met, whether from industry, academia, Government or somewhere in between. We have a competitive advantage, and …
Why linked: Transport Committee 'Self-driving vehicles' report conclusion praising Law Commissions and Government on the new regime — substantive on-thread scrutiny content.
The current laws for self-driving vehicles are archaic and limiting, especially concerning testing and legal liability. We commend the work of the Law Commissions and the Government in devising a new legal framework. That framework has broad support, albeit with …
Why linked: Self-driving vehicles public perceptions and effective communication research — directly informs Part 4 marketing-term regime.
How people view self-driving vehicles and how to effectively communicate safety information about them.
In response to: Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 regulatory report 2022
Progress report on what the government has achieved in the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Why linked: February 2023 launch of world-first self-driving bus pilot — direct APS-style operational precursor.
Passengers will be boarding the world’s first fully sized, self-driving bus service in Edinburgh from the Spring, after it was awarded a share of £81 million in joint UK government and industry support for self-driving transport technology.
Why linked: PQ on planned spend of £34m for commercial deployment of CAV — CCAV programme detail directly tied to the AV regime.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will provide a breakdown of planned spend for the £34 million allocated to support commercial deployment of connected and self-driving technologies.
Why linked: PQ on R&D spend for connected and self-driving deployment — sits within thread perimeter.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the £100 million of new R&D funding to support commercial deployment of connected and self-driving technologies and the creation of a safety assurance framework, announced in Connected & Autom
Seeks views on our proposed safety ambition for self-driving vehicles to form the foundation of a new self-driving vehicle safety framework.
Why linked: August 2022 announcement of CAM 2025 strategy and safety-ambition consultation — direct policy-frame document.
New plan for self-driving vehicles plus a consultation on a safety ambition.
In response to: Responsible Innovation in Self-Driving Vehicles
The government’s plans for connected and automated mobility technologies.
The government’s plans for connected and automated mobility technologies.
The CDEI has published a report that sets out proposals for a trustworthy approach to the regulation and governance of self-driving vehicles.
Seeks views on our proposed safety ambition for self-driving vehicles to form the foundation of a new self-driving vehicle safety framework.
Why linked: Law Commission Issues Paper on remote driving — directly adjacent to the AV Act's operator-licensing and user-in-charge boundary.
The Law Commission for England and Wales invites responses to its remote driving issues paper published on 24 June 2022. The Law Commission is considering the law surrounding remote driving, where a person outside a vehicle uses wireless connectivity to …
Why linked: AEVA 2018 (Commencement No.2) Regulations 2022 — predecessor regime commencement directly relevant to fiscal/operational baseline.
These Regulations bring into force, on 27th May 2022, section 11 of the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 (c. 18) (“the Act”). These are the second commencement regulations made under the Act. The first commencement regulations, the Automated and …
Why linked: May 2022 £40m commercial self-driving competition — CCAV deployment programme directly feeding into APS pilots.
A new £40 million competition to kick-start commercial self-driving services, such as delivery vehicles and passenger shuttles, has been launched today.
Why linked: Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Automated Vehicles) Order 2022 — direct AV-specific SI bridging existing C&U law to AVs.
This Order provides that the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (S.I. 1986/1078) have effect in relation to automated vehicles as if certain modifications were made to regulation 109(1) (television sets). The effect of these modifications is that regulation …
Why linked: Letter to Parliament on Highway Code AV section, April 2022 — direct ministerial correspondence on the operational regime precursor.
Letter to Parliament on Highway Code AV section, April 2022 — direct ministerial correspondence on the operational regime precursor.
In response to: Safe use rules for automated vehicles (AV)
Why linked: Explanatory memorandum to The Highway Code amendment (self-driving) 2022 — operational precursor explanatory document.
Explanatory memorandum to The Highway Code amendment (self-driving) 2022 — operational precursor explanatory document.
In response to: Safe use rules for automated vehicles (AV)
Why linked: Highway Code rules on safe use of AVs — operational precursor for user-in-charge concept implemented in ss.46-52.
Highway Code rules on safe use of AVs — operational precursor for user-in-charge concept implemented in ss.46-52.
In response to: Safe use rules for automated vehicles (AV)
Why linked: Government response to consultation on rules for safe use of AVs on GB roads — operational precursor to AV Act regime.
Government response to consultation on rules for safe use of AVs on GB roads — operational precursor to AV Act regime.
In response to: Safe use rules for automated vehicles (AV)
Proposes amending The Highway Code to create rules on the safe use of automated vehicles on Great Britain's motorways.
Why linked: Cognitive testing research on Highway Code AV wording — public-understanding evidence relevant to s.2 principles.
Outlines the findings of cognitive testing research into whether the revised Highway Code wording about automated vehicles was clearly understood by drivers.
Why linked: Self-driving vehicles listed for use in GB — operational artefact precursor to the s.10 register of authorisations.
Check if a vehicle is listed as self-driving for use in Great Britain.
Why linked: April 2022 Highway Code changes for AVs — operational precursor to user-in-charge regime.
Changes to The Highway Code will help ensure the first wave of self-driving vehicles are used safely on UK roads.
Why linked: Filled the "Law Commission reports on autonomous vehicle liability (original review grounding the Act)" gap via web research
The Scottish Law Commission's completed project page for the joint automated vehicles review, hosting the same January 2022 joint report (Scot Law Com No 258) along with consultation papers, analysis of responses, and impact assessment.
Why linked: Filled the "Law Commissions' original liability review underpinning the Act" gap via web research
The full PDF of the joint Law Commission / Scottish Law Commission report on automated vehicles (January 2022), containing all 75 recommendations on liability, safety assurance, criminal offences and the proposed regulatory framework that was implemented through the Automated Vehicles …
Why linked: Filled the "Law Commissions' original liability review underpinning the Act" gap via web research
The definitive joint report published on 26 January 2022 by the Law Commission of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission, making 75 recommendations for a new legal framework covering safety assurance, civil and criminal liability, and regulatory structure …
Why linked: AEVA 2018 regulatory report — captures the regulator-reporting line that the 2024 Act builds on.
AEVA 2018 regulatory report — captures the regulator-reporting line that the 2024 Act builds on.
In response to: Automated and Electric Vehicle Act report
Ministerial foreword by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel Technology will drive radical changes within the transport sector over the next 10 years and beyond. We have the opportunity to shape these changes to have a profound positive impact for the environment, …
Ministerial foreword by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel Technology will drive radical changes within the transport sector over the next 10 years and beyond. We have the opportunity to shape these changes to have a profound positive impact for the environment, …
Proposes amending The Highway Code to create rules on the safe use of automated vehicles on Great Britain's motorways.
Why linked: Annex A research on safe performance of non-driving activities in conditionally automated vehicles — evidentiary basis for s.47 immunity scope.
Annex A research on safe performance of non-driving activities in conditionally automated vehicles — evidentiary basis for s.47 immunity scope.
In response to: Safe use of Automated Lane Keeping System on GB motorways: call for evidence
Why linked: Research on activities drivers can safely perform in conditionally automated vehicles — direct evidence for s.47 user-in-charge regime.
Activities other than driving that drivers can safely perform when using a conditionally automated vehicle, including vehicles fitted with ALKS.
Why linked: April 2021 ALKS announcement — predecessor authorisation path now subsumed by Part 1 of the 2024 Act.
Automated Lane Keeping System technology outcome means self-driving vehicles could be used on British roads.
Proposes amending The Highway Code to create rules on the safe use of automated vehicles on Great Britain's motorways.
This is a public consultation by the Law Commission for England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission. The consultation questions are drawn from our third consultation paper published as part of a review of automated vehicles. For more information …
Why linked: January 2021 announcement of £42bn market forecast — economic framing of the regime.
Report revealing the full economic value of self-driving vehicles in the UK released.
Why linked: Connected and Automated Vehicles market forecast — evidence basis for the regime's economic case.
Study analysing the potential future Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) market for the United Kingdom.
This is a public consultation by the Law Commission for England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission. The consultation questions are drawn from our third consultation paper published as part of a review of automated vehicles. For more information …
Why linked: Filled the "Law Commission review on autonomous vehicle liability (foundational to the MoJ engagement)" gap via web research
The third and final Law Commission consultation paper on automated vehicles, hosted on the Ministry of Justice's Citizen Space platform, covering civil liability, criminal liability, user and fleet operator responsibilities, and access to data — the direct MoJ-facing consultation that …
Why linked: Public attitudes research on AVs — foundational evidence for s.2 safety principles and pilot guidance.
Research exploring people’s attitudes towards self-driving vehicles.
Why linked: Matched expansion phrase: CCAV
We are analysing your feedback. Visit this page on GOV.UK soon to download the outcome to this public consultation.
Why linked: Law Commission second consultation on AV passenger services and public transport — direct ancestor of the APS permitting scheme.
This is a public consultation by the Law Commission for England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission. The consultation questions are drawn from our second consultation paper published as part of a three-year review of automated vehicles. For more …
Opportunity to comment on and amend the 2019 updated 'Code of practice: automated vehicle trialling'.
Opportunity to comment on and amend the 2019 updated 'Code of practice: automated vehicle trialling'.
Opportunity to comment on and amend the 2019 updated 'Code of practice: automated vehicle trialling'.
Why linked: Law Commissions' preliminary 2018 consultation paper that began the doctrinal work culminating in the Act.
This is a public consultation by the Law Commission for England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission. We are reviewing the regulatory framework for the safe deployment of automated vehicles in the UK. We recommend that consultees read the …
Why linked: Commons Library briefing on the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 — directly relevant as the predecessor liability statute that continues in force alongside the 2024 Act.
Type: Commons Briefing Paper (CBP-8118) This paper explains the policy background to and contents and purpose of the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018.
Proposals for people and businesses in the UK to use automated vehicle technologies, and advanced driver assistance systems.
Proposals for people and businesses in the UK to use automated vehicle technologies, and advanced driver assistance systems.
Proposals for people and businesses in the UK to use automated vehicle technologies, and advanced driver assistance systems.
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The Automated Vehicles Act 2024 1 established the GB framework for self-driving vehicles, implementing the Law Commissions' 2022 joint report 2. The regime turned operational on 15 May 2026 when SI 2026/437 3 commenced Part 5 (Automated Passenger Services permits), supported by the procedural rules in SI 2026/439 4. The Department for Transport's April 2026 government response 5 confirmed independent safety assessment, monitoring and enforcement, and an RPC opinion 6 scrutinised the underlying options assessment. A wider call for evidence on authorisation, operator licensing and the Statement of Safety Principles closed on 5 March 2026 7 and will drive the next round of secondary legislation. The government signed a partnership with Wayve in May 2026 8 to accelerate deployment, and pilot-scheme guidance for applicants 9 and first responders 10 is now in force.
The regime is in active implementation. The 2024 Act provides the framework architecture across seven parts — vehicle authorisation (Part 1), criminal liability and user-in-charge (Part 2), investigation (Part 3), marketing restrictions (Part 4), APS permits (Part 5), and adaptation of type-approval and traffic-regulation regimes (Part 6) 1. Two commencement orders are in force: SI 2025/1339 2 commenced regulation-making powers from 1 January 2026, and SI 2026/437 3 commenced the substantive APS regime and s.93 from 15 May 2026. SI 2026/439 4 sets the operational detail of the APS permit procedure: maximum 5-year validity, a renewal window of six to two months before expiry, defined grounds for variation/suspension/withdrawal (including traffic infractions, safety concerns and unroadworthiness), an urgent-suspension procedure, a 28-day internal-review right, and statutory information-disclosure gateways to police, ambulance, fire and rescue, courts and complaints bodies. Outside Part 5, the Statement of Safety Principles call for evidence 5, the protected marketing terms consultation 6 and the wide framework call for evidence 7 have all closed but their resulting instruments and the final s.2 Statement are not yet published. The DfT/CCAV implementation programme 8 coordinates the work, and statutory pilot-scheme guidance 910 now sets the application and first-responder regime for pre-authorisation deployments.
April–May 2026 was the regime's transition from paper to operational reality. On 21 April 2026, SI 2026/437 1 was made, fixing 15 May 2026 as the commencement date for Part 5 (excluding s.84 civil sanctions and s.89(8)(b)/(10)) and s.93. Two days later, on 23 April, SI 2026/439 2 was made, and ministerial statements (HCWS1537 3, HLWS1545 4), the government response to the APS consultation 5 and the RPC opinion on the options assessment 6 were published in coordinated fashion. On 31 March 2026, DfT published three pieces of operational guidance: information for pilot applicants 7, for first responders 8 and on local authority and transport-body roles in APS permits 9. The wider AV regulatory framework call for evidence closed on 5 March 2026 10 after launching on 4 December 2025 1112. On 12 May 2026 the government and Wayve announced a partnership to accelerate UK deployment 13, the most prominent industrial pairing under the new regime.
Three pipelines dominate the next twelve months. The first is the Statement of Safety Principles under s.2 1: until it is finalised the substantive standard against which authorisation decisions will be taken is policy rather than statute, and authorisation regulations under s.11 cannot sensibly be made without it. The second is the Government Response to the December 2025 – March 2026 wider framework call for evidence 2, expected in Q3 2026 or later, which will determine the shape of authorisation procedures, the operator-licensing regime under ss.12–13, and the use of information powers in Chapter 3 of Part 1. The third is the commencement of s.84 civil sanctions for APS permit infringements: the deliberate exclusion in SI 2026/437 3 of s.84 and Schedule 6 means the regime currently has front-loaded gateway machinery but back-loaded penalty machinery, and an analyst should expect a third commencement order to close that gap. Operationally, the first commercial pilots without safety drivers will test the regulatory architecture in real time — the Wayve partnership 4 is the proof-point. Westminster scrutiny is likely to continue through Olly Glover's pavement-robot line 56 and Scott Arthur's ADAS/MOT line 7, both of which interrogate the regime's edges rather than its core. Watch also the PAC's continuing interest in highway-infrastructure readiness given its scepticism about deployment optimism running ahead of road-condition reality.
The principal regulatory risk is sequencing: the regime is being commenced in the order Parliament wrote it (Part 5 first, authorisation later) rather than in the order doctrinal logic would suggest (safety principles → authorisation → operators → services), which means the first APS permits will be issued without a finalised s.2 Statement of Safety Principles 1. The deliberate exclusion of s.84 civil sanctions from SI 2026/437 2 leaves the APS regime with permit-level enforcement (variation, suspension, withdrawal under SI 2026/439 reg 5 3) but no monetary-penalty backstop until Schedule 6 commences. The corpus does not yet identify which regulator will operate authorisation and operator licensing — DVSA is plausible but unconfirmed 4. Inferred from corpus gap: there is no NAO study of the regime yet, so independent value-for-money scrutiny of CCAV spend (the £150m to 2030 programme 5) lies ahead. Pavement and delivery robots are pointedly outside the AV Act framework 6, leaving a visible legislative gap.
This briefing covers the AV Act 2024 framework, the APS permitting scheme, the Statement of Safety Principles, the protected marketing terms regime, and the wider authorisation/operator-licensing pipeline. It does NOT cover pavement-based delivery robots and other micromobility, which government has confirmed sit outside the AV Act and await a separate legislative vehicle. It treats general road-traffic law (RTA 1988, RTOA 1988) and the insurer-pays civil-liability regime in AEVA 2018 only where the 2024 Act amends or interacts with them.
Bills and Acts this regime substantively depends on. Links go to the bill's own thread on this site (where available) and to bills.parliament.uk.
Primary framework Act creating the authorisation, liability, marketing-restriction and APS permit regimes operationalised by SI 2025/1339, SI 2026/437 and SI 2026/439.
Earlier statute establishing insurer-pays civil liability for AV-caused accidents (Part 1); retained and amended by Schedule 2 of the 2024 Act, which builds the criminal/administrative regime on top.
The regime is a three-axis architecture: a vehicle axis (Part 1 authorisation), a person/entity axis (ASDE plus NUIC operator licensing under Part 1 Chapter 2), and a service axis (Part 5 APS permits). Each axis has its own gateway, but they are bound together by the statutory Statement of Safety Principles under s.2: authorisation decisions, operator-licence conditions and APS permit conditions all derive their substantive safety yardstick from a single document the Secretary of State must produce. Until that statement is finalised, every gateway is operating on transitional/scoping logic, which is why the call-for-evidence cycle in 2025–26 was sequenced before substantive authorisation decisions.
The liability layer in Part 2 is the regime's doctrinal innovation. Section 47 confers immunity on the user-in-charge for the manner of driving while a self-driving feature is engaged; s.48 carves the immunity back for residual driver-like duties (e.g. insurance, drink-driving, condition of the vehicle on hand-over). Criminal liability for in-drive conduct is reallocated to the ASDE through Chapter 3 information offences (ss.24–25) and aggravated variants where death or serious injury occurs; senior-manager liability (s.27) and nominated-individual liability (s.26) impose personal exposure on corporate officers.
The enforcement architecture is dual-track. The vehicle/entity track uses civil sanctions in Chapter 5 (compliance, redress and monetary penalties) plus authorisation-level variation/suspension/withdrawal under Schedule 1. The road-policing track sits in Part 3, with statutory inspectors empowered to investigate incidents — a deliberate move away from a purely criminal-investigation model towards an air-accident-investigation-style approach recommended by the Law Commissions.
Part 5 is layered onto, not integrated with, existing passenger-transport licensing. SI 2026/439 confirms via reg 1(3) that the regime applies to anything that would otherwise be a public service vehicle in GB and to any other APS in England. Section 83 disapplies the taxi, PHV and bus statutes where an APS permit is in force, but ss.85–86 give local licensing authorities (taxi/PHV-like) and relevant franchising bodies (bus-like) a consent right with a six-week deemed-consent backstop (SI 2026/439 reg 6). The reserved spaces (s.84 civil sanctions and the public service-equivalent civil-sanctions architecture) remain uncommenced, signalling that government has front-loaded gateway and procedure and back-loaded penalty.
The marketing-restriction regime in Part 4 sits outside the gateway architecture but feeds it: by criminalising premature use of the term 'self-driving' for non-authorised vehicles, it operationalises the integrity of the authorisation register that consumers, insurers and police rely on. Enforcement is via Schedule 5 consumer-protection routes rather than transport regulators, expanding the regime's accountability surface to bodies like Trading Standards.
Statutory test (Part 1, s.1) that a vehicle is capable of safely and legally travelling autonomously.
Body designated under s.6 as responsible for an authorised automation feature.
Person in the driving seat of a vehicle operating under a UIC self-driving feature (ss.46–52).
Licensed operator (Part 1 Chapter 2, ss.12–13) of a vehicle authorised to operate without a UIC.
Permit under s.82 enabling carriage of passengers in self-driving vehicles outside the taxi/PHV/bus regimes (s.83 disapplication).
Restriction on the use of terms such as 'self-driving' and 'autonomous' to authorised AVs.
APS permit regime takes legal effect; first applications can be lodged with the Secretary of State under SI 2026/439.
Government response to the 'Developing the AV regulatory framework' call for evidence (closed 5 March 2026), expected to inform secondary legislation on authorisation, operator licensing and information powers.
Publication of the final statutory Statement of Safety Principles under s.2 of the AV Act following the 2025 call for evidence.
Commencement of s.84 (civil sanctions for APS permit infringements) and Schedule 6, deliberately held back by SI 2026/437.
First substantive authorisation procedure regulations under s.11 and operator-licensing regulations under ss.12–13.
Commercial firms beginning pilot operation without safety drivers under the spring-2026 commitment, including Wayve-led deployments following the May 2026 partnership.
DfT's settled position is to operationalise the AV Act in stages, prioritising APS permits and pilot guidance for spring 2026, with authorisation and operator licensing following after the safety-principles and wider-framework consultations conclude. The April 2026 government response confirms safety will be 'independently assessed, monitored and enforced'.Apr 2026Jun 2025Feb 2025
CCAV's published research programme (public understanding of automation terms, situational-awareness study, inclusivity and emergency-response studies) signals an evidence-led implementation posture, emphasising human-factors risk and accessibility alongside commercial deployment.Mar 2026Jan 2025Jun 2025Jun 2025
On the APS permitting scheme: the RPC issued formal opinions on both the AV Bill IA (green-rated, 2024) and the SI 2026/439 options assessment (April 2026), providing external regulatory-scrutiny endorsement to the IA process.Apr 2026Jan 2024
The Joint Report (Law Com No 404) recommends a unified authorisation regime, ASDE liability, user-in-charge immunity and a statutory incident-investigation function — substantially the regime adopted by Parliament in the 2024 Act.Jan 2022
Co-author of the joint report; the regime adopts Great Britain (not UK) extent for road-traffic dimensions and SI 2026/439 applies to APS in Scotland for PSV-equivalent services, reflecting the SLC's recommendations on reserved/devolved interaction.Jan 2022Jan 2022Apr 2026
Its 7th Report (2022–23) urged a cautious, gradual approach with safety prioritised over commercial speed, and emphasised that AV deployment must not impose new burdens on other road users or limit pedestrian access — themes carried into the Act's safety architecture.Sep 2023Nov 2023
On local roads and AV interaction: the PAC has pressed DfT on the realism of AV operation over existing highway infrastructure without immediate maintenance change, signalling concern about deployment optimism outrunning road-condition reality.Jan 2025Dec 2024
Has positioned itself as the UK's flagship AI self-driving developer, signing a partnership with HMG in May 2026 to accelerate UK deployment and pursuing commercial scaling under the new framework.May 2026
On pavement and delivery robots: pressed government in April 2026 PQs on safety risks to pedestrians, wheelchair users and visually-impaired people, signalling Liberal Democrat scrutiny of where the AV framework's edges sit relative to micromobility.Apr 2026Apr 2026
On the AV/conventional-vehicle interface: pressed DfT on whether Advanced Driver Assistance Systems should be tested in the MOT, suggesting AV-adjacent assurance gaps in the existing test regime.Apr 2026
Opened the October 2025 Westminster Hall debate on connected and automated vehicles, framing AV deployment as a near-term reality requiring legislative attention.Oct 2025
As then Transport Secretary, owned the July 2025 ministerial statement launching the APS consultation and committing the government to delivering the permitting scheme as part of the Plan for Change growth agenda.Jul 2025
As then Lords Transport Minister, repeatedly carried the AV implementation message in Lords WMSs, including the April 2026 announcement of APS permitting taking effect.Apr 2026Dec 2025Jun 2025
As then PUS at DfT, signed the December 2025 framework call-for-evidence WMS, the April 2026 APS permitting WMS and SI 2026/439 / SI 2026/437, carrying day-to-day delivery of the implementation programme.Dec 2025Apr 2026Apr 2026
As then Future of Roads Minister, signed the June 2025 implementation WMS announcing acceleration of APS regulations and launched the July 2025 consultation that produced SI 2026/439.Jun 2025Jun 2025Jul 2025
Conservative Lords sponsor of the AV Act 2024; carried the Bill through Lords stages under the previous government.May 2024
Then Conservative Transport Secretary; Commons sponsor of the AV Act 2024 under the previous government.May 2024