A lot of people are asking ‘When will driverless taxis launch in the UK?’. The UK is getting closer to having automated cab, also called robotaxis, that the general public can use. This is because of improvements in autonomous driving technology, amendments to the law, and the government’s desire. This blog talks about the current state of driverless taxi services, how long they are expected to take to become generalized, and what has to happen first.
When Will Self Driving Taxis be Available?
In the spring of 2026, the UK government gave permission for trials of robotic cabs and bus-type services that may run on England’s roadways without a safety driver. People may book such trials through applications, which would let them use them. These pilots have been moved up in the schedule compared to what was planned.
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When Will Driverless Cars be Available?
To work, fully driverless automobiles need both advanced technology and laws that govern them. The Automated Vehicles Act is scheduled to be fully in effect in the second half of 2027. It will provide the rules for selling, using, and regulating fully autonomous vehicles (Level 4 and beyond) in the UK. Self-driving cars will probably only be able to do pilot controllable trials until then.
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When Will Driverless Cars Come to London?
London is going to be one of the first big cities to test autonomous taxis. Many companies want to test Level 4 self-driving cars on public roads in London. However, they need permission from the government first. The pilots here may start in the spring of 2026, which is when the tests across the rest of England will also start.
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When Will Driverless Taxis Launch in the UK?
Putting everything together:
Spring 2026
In some regions of England, the first commercial pilot tests of autonomous taxi and bus-type services without safety drivers are likely to take place. These will be modest, regulated, and bookable through an app.
Second Half of 2027
The Automated Vehicles Act’s comprehensive legal framework should be implemented soon. This will make it easier for:
- Fully self-driving taxis
- Private hire cars
- Bus-like services
Even if driverless cabs are not in use all the time today, the UK plans to roll them out in stages:
- Experimental services will start in 2026.
- After getting permission from the government, they will be used more widely in 2027.
The Bottom Line
So, when will driverless taxis launch in the UK?
The UK will soon have driverless taxis. In the spring of 2026, early experiments without secured drivers will begin, notably in places like London. By the second part of 2027, the legal approvals and full rules needed for widespread use should be in place.
For taxi firms like Ash Cabs, these changes mean a big change: they will have to go from watching trials to possibly adjusting to new technology, rules, and competition.
The change will happen slowly, guided by safety, rules, and public trust. But the path is clear: autonomous taxi services are on the way. They will get here sooner than most people imagined.
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