Self-driving cars are on the horizon: what does this mean for you?
June 10, 2025 by Siobhan Doyle
Car changing is a big deal
The Department of Transport has announced it will fast-track limited self-driving car pilots on public roads starting next spring. Here’s how it can affect you.
Picture ordering an Uber from your phone and having it arrive with no one behind the wheel. That soon could be a reality in England, as the UK government announces it will accelerate commercial trials of autonomous vehicles (AVs), with services potentially available to the public as early as spring 2026.
“The future of transport is arriving. Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world-leaders in new technology,” said Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander. “We will continue to take bold steps to create jobs, back British industry, and drive innovation to deliver our Plan for Change.”
We breakdown what these upcoming trials could mean for consumers like you.
But first, what are self-driving cars?
Self-driving cars, also known as autonomous vehicles, are cars that can drive themselves with little or no help from a human driver. They use a mix of sensors, cameras, and smart software to ‘see’ what’s around them, figure out what to do, and take control of things such as steering, stopping, and changing lanes all on their own.
Driverless trials have already been taking place in the UK since January 2015, with British companies Wayve and Oxa spearheading significant breakthroughs in the technology. From spring 2026, self-driving cars without a safety driver could be available for people to book via an app for the first time.
The UK is already host to a thriving self-driving sector: Wayve secured a $1bn investment backed by investment holding company SoftBank Group, Nvidia and Microsoft and announced recent partnerships with Nissan and Uber, while Oxa has started rolling out self-driving vehicles at Heathrow Airport to improve baggage handling.
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New means of travel at your fingertips
From 2026, small-scale self-driving taxi and shuttle services could launch in select areas. These services would operate without a human safety driver, and you’ll be able to book them via an app, much like Uber or Bolt today.
For people in rural or underserved communities, this could mean better access to transport options, especially where public transport is limited or unavailable.
Safety comes first
The government is emphasising road safety as a key priority, with Alexander stating that it’s “at the heart of our pilots and legislation.” With 88% of collisions currently caused by human error, AVs have the potential to make roads much safer, according to experts.
Self-driving cars react way faster than us humans and they’ve learned from tons of driving situations, even real-life accidents. Plus, unlike us, these cars never get distracted, tired, or decide to drive after a few drinks, and they definitely won’t speed.
Take Waymo, Google’s self-driving project, for example. They recently did a study comparing their autonomous cars to human drivers over 56.7 million miles. Here, they found that Waymo’s tech led to a lot fewer serious crashes, especially with pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
Specifically, the ‘Waymo Driver’ caused 92% fewer crashes with injuries to pedestrians, and 82% fewer crashes with injuries to both cyclists and motorcyclists.
The Automated Vehicles Act will require self-driving cars to achieve a level of safety at least as high as competent and careful human drivers, and they will undergo rigorous safety tests before being allowed on our roads.
It will create new jobs and industries
Looking for a new job or a change in career? You’re in luck. This shift in self-driving cars could create around 38,000 jobs and add £42bn to the UK economy by 2035. That means more job opportunities across tech, manufacturing, transport services, and infrastructure.
Even if you’re not planning to build AVs, the ripple effect could boost sectors such as roadside maintenance, software development, fleet services, and many more.
Improving mobility and the environment
Self-driving cars could also pave the way for better accessibility for people with disabilities who can’t currently drive, older adults needing more independence, and those who live in places with limited transport options.
Plus, many of these vehicles will likely be electric, helping to reduce emissions and ease congestion – especially if ride share models take off.
But Brits remain sceptical about autonomous cars
Despite these upcoming trials, there’s still uncertainty about driverless cars. In fact, British drivers are among the most sceptical in the world when it comes to having artificial intelligence (AI) in vehicles, according to research by Deloitte.
Over a quarter (26%) of British drivers remain unconvinced about the benefits of AI in cars, according to the 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Study. This puts the UK on par with the US (26%) and Germany (25%) in terms of scepticism, a stark contrast to the overwhelming acceptance seen in India (82%) and China (77%).
The UK is addressing this scepticism about self-driving cars through a multi-pronged approach focusing on safety, clear legal frameworks, and ongoing public education. The government is also actively supporting the development of the technology through funding and partnerships.
What’s next and what does the industry say?
The full rollout of self-driving services will depend on the Automated Vehicles Act, which is set to come into force in late 2027. Until then, pilot programmes will be closely monitored to ensure they’re safe, efficient, and publicly accepted.
Voices from the automotive and tech sectors welcome the push toward self-driving cars, highlighting better accessibility and the need for safety.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, says Britain is nearing a self-driving revolution that promises safer roads and better mobility. Meanwhile, Julian David of TechUK calls the progress “great news” but stresses the importance of staying competitive internationally.
Safety experts such as Steve Cole (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) and Arun Srinivasan (RoadSafe) also chimed in. They praise the government’s focus on strong safety rules, seeing self-driving tech as a way to reduce crashes further.
Accessibility advocates Matt Stringer (Royal National Institute of Blind People) and Andrew Miller (Motability Operations) emphasise the need for autonomous vehicles to serve everyone, especially disabled and visually impaired people, so that they can become more independent.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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