Fleets are being asked to help shape how self-driving vehicles are introduced onto UK roads, as the Department for Transport (DfT) launches a wide-ranging call for evidence on the rollout of autonomous technology.
The review is the next step in delivering the Automated Vehicles (AV) Act, passed in May 2024, which sets out who is liable when a vehicle is in self-driving mode. While limited automated features are already permitted, fully driverless operation will only be allowed once secondary legislation is in place.
The DfT is seeking feedback on key areas including vehicle authorisation, licensing, incident investigation and cyber-security. The consultation also raises the possibility of mandating post-collision data sharing with insurers, following calls from Thatcham Research to ensure fair claims handling and maintain public confidence.
A full regulatory framework is expected to be drafted in 2026, with further consultation planned later that year. The UK aims to have the new AV rules in force from the second half of 2027, supporting commercial deployments such as Waymo’s planned self-driving ride-hail service in London.
The consultation, Developing the automated vehicles regulatory framework, is open until March 5, 2026.