Department for Transport | Printable version | Passengers one step closer to booking taxi and bus-style self-driving vehicles Applications open for operators to join the self-driving vehicles pilot scheme. - applications open for operators to run taxi, bus and private hire-style self-driving vehicles, in British first - passengers could book journeys through operators later this year - services will be held to strict safety requirements, driving confidence in an industry that will unlock significant economic growth and support thousands of jobs Passengers could book taxi and bus-style self-driving vehicles later this year, as applications open today (22 May 2026) for operators to run cars across Great Britain. The pilot scheme will enable firms – including British self-driving technology company Wayve – to bring cutting-edge technology to British roads, creating thousands of jobs and unlocking billions for the economy by 2035. Services could enhance journeys by supporting greater freedom and independence for older and disabled people, as well as expanding travel options across both work and leisure. Self-driving technology could transform roads, with human error currently contributing to 88% of collisions on UK roads. Safety will be central to the pilot scheme, which will gather real-world evidence on how self-driving vehicles operate on everyday roads, from navigating busy urban streets to interacting with traffic and carrying passengers safely. Services will be subject to rigorous approval checks by government, including strict safety assessments to ensure the technology is protected against cyber and security threats. Roads and Buses Minister, Simon Lightwood, said: Self-driving vehicles represent a transformative opportunity for Britain, opening up independent travel for disabled people and older adults, while driving growth and creating high-skilled jobs across the UK. This pilot scheme brings that future closer, giving passengers the opportunity to experience self-driving travel first-hand while ensuring safety always comes first. Local