Uber To Begin Self Driving Taxi Trials In London From Spring 2026 And Plan Full Rollout By 2027

Uber, in collaboration with the British tech firm Wayve, has announced plans to trial self-driving taxis on the streets of London starting in spring 2026. This initiative marks a significant milestone as it will be the first time in Europe that fully autonomous taxis, without a human safety driver, will be available for public use. The trial comes as part of preparations for a broader rollout of these autonomous vehicles, expected in late 2027.

The UK government has fast-tracked the rollout as laws regarding fully autonomous vehicles take shape through the Automated Vehicles Act. This legislation aims to ensure self-driving vehicles meet safety standards comparable to those of careful and competent human drivers. The Department for Transport (DfT) anticipates the innovation will position Britain as a leader in autonomous vehicle technology, with the potential to create 38,000 jobs and generate an industry worth £42 billion by 2035.

Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, underlined the broader advantages of this development. She stated that the arrival of self-driving cars could provide more accessible transport solutions for millions, improve mobility options in rural areas, and serve as a progressive step towards safer road networks. Technology from firms like Wayve and Oxa has already undergone extensive testing in the UK, but to date, trials have always required a safety driver present in the vehicle.

Uber’s autonomous taxi service has previously been introduced elsewhere, with the US cities of San Francisco and Austin seeing the rollout of comparable technologies. By including the UK in this push, Uber and Wayve aim to demonstrate how driverless taxis can integrate seamlessly with urban transport systems. Alex Kendall, co-founder and CEO of Wayve, highlighted that these early trials are vital for building public trust and unlocking wider economic benefits through new jobs and services.

Despite enthusiasm from industry leaders, concerns remain within the UK’s taxi and private hire sectors. Elly Baker, Labour’s transport spokesperson, noted that while opportunities in autonomous vehicle management and development could increase, current taxi drivers risk being marginalised in the changing landscape. Meanwhile, representatives of London’s black cab drivers dismissed the project’s feasibility, claiming the complexity of London’s road layouts would make it challenging for these vehicles to succeed in the near future.

Policy analysts and industry experts will be monitoring the trials closely, as the results will have far-reaching implications for autonomous vehicles globally. Despite previous setbacks in other markets, the UK government appears optimistic that driverless cars will become a transformative force for the economy and transport networks alike.