- In May 2026, the DfT opened up applications for operators to run self-driving taxis commercially across Britain, with Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood stating such vehicles 'represent a transformative opportunity.'
- Ministers must hand over full control of driverless taxi trials to Transport for London (TfL), a senior London Assembly Member has said.
- Andy Lord, TfL Commissioner, warned of a 'risk' of the DfT 'cutting across London’s devolution powers.'
- A DfT spokesperson confirmed that 'Permits for Automated Passenger Services to operate in London cannot be issued without TfL’s consent.'
- Currently, responsibility for authorising driverless vehicles on public roads sits with the DfT, but any paid passenger service would fall under TfL’s jurisdiction.
- Caroline Russell AM stated that the government appears to have 'stepped in on London’s devolved powers' regarding driverless taxis.
- Russell emphasized that 'the regulation of all of this is being controlled by the government when TfL should have a licensing role in this.'
- In 2024, ministers passed the Automated Vehicles Act as an initial legal framework for operators, ensuring legal responsibility for any accidents in autonomous vehicles lies with approved operators.
Lyft and Baidu have begun testing robotaxis in London, raising significant regulatory questions as a senior London Assembly member urges ministers to transfer control of driverless taxi trials to Transport for London (TfL).2
Caroline Russell AM emphasized that the government is infringing on London’s devolved powers regarding driverless taxis, stating, “The regulation of all of this is being controlled by the government when TfL should have a licensing role in this.” Currently, the Department for Transport (DfT) oversees the authorization of driverless vehicles on public roads, but any paid passenger service falls under TfL’s jurisdiction.6
The DfT has previously indicated plans to fast-track the testing of “small scale ‘taxi and bus-like’ services without a safety driver” by 2026, with a broader rollout anticipated in 2027.
In 2024, the Automated Vehicles Act was passed, establishing a legal framework for operators, ensuring that legal responsibility for accidents in autonomous vehicles lies with approved operators rather than drivers.89
In May 2026, the DfT opened applications for operators to run self-driving taxis commercially across Britain, with Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood describing these vehicles as a “transformative opportunity.”1
A DfT spokesperson confirmed that “Permits for Automated Passenger Services to operate in London cannot be issued without TfL’s consent.”
“Caroline Russell AM emphasized that the government is overstepping London’s devolved powers regarding driverless taxis, stating that TfL should have a licensing role. Meanwhile, a DfT spokesperson confirmed that permits for automated passenger services in London require TfL's consent, highlighting the regulatory complexities ahead.”
London Evening Standard
