Self-driving cars could be seen on British roads within months as Labour pushes forward with new motoring laws that could unlock a £42billion industry.
Under newly announced plans, taxi, private-hire and bus-like services of self-driving vehicles could hit the road from next March after fast-track pilots.
It comes as the Government launches a new consultation on the Automated Passenger Services (APS) permitting scheme, which aims to hear views on how self-driving vehicles will be regulated.
The consultation will focus on safety, innovations, "world-leading" regulation and accessibility, with the Government backing the potential drop in road accidents with more autonomous cars on the road.
GETTY/PA
|Self-driving vehicles could be seen across British roads within months under new plans
Data suggests that 88 per cent of all road collisions are caused by human error, a problem that self-driving vehicle technology could drastically reduce.
Labour said it would fast-track pilots of self-driving passenger vehicles from Spring 2026, in a major step forward for an industry that could be worth £42billion for the UK by 2035.
These plans will see small-scale services piloted without a safety driver for the first time. Drivers could then book these services through an app.
This would come ahead of the wider rollout of the Automated Vehicles Act when it is fully implemented in the second half of 2027.
Commenting on the consultation and the progress being made with the Automated Passenger Services (APS) scheme, Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said it could create around 38,000 jobs.
The Labour MP for Nottingham South added: "Self-driving vehicles are one of the most exciting opportunities to improve transport for so many people, especially those in rural areas or unable to drive.
"We want to work with passengers and industry to make this new form of transport safe and accessible, as we take our next steps towards adoption.
"This technology doesn't just have the potential to improve transport for millions of people. It will help stimulate innovation, create thousands of jobs, and drive investment to put more money in people's pockets - all part of delivering our Plan for Change."
PA
|Self-driving vehicle trials have been seen in the UK since January 2015
Drivers and key players in the motoring industry will be able to voice their opinions on how self-driving vehicles can be more accessible for disabled and elderly people.
It also contains topics on whether self-driving vehicles could be approved by councils, and how these potential services could operate.
Self-driving trials have already been taking place in the UK for more than 10 years, with British companies Wayve and Oxa making "significant breakthroughs" in autonomous driving technology.
In particular, Oxa supports "bus-like" services in the United States and will begin rolling out self-driving vehicles at Heathrow Airport to improve efficiency.
OXA
|Oxa has partnered with DHL for an autonomous vehicle project at Heathrow Airport
Gavin Jackson, CEO of Oxa, said: "As the first company to trial an autonomous vehicle on UK roads back in 2016, we are delighted to see the UK continuing to progress towards making AV services a commercial reality.
"The Automated Passenger Services regime will enable the deployment of innovative public transport services that will augment our current transport network, making it easier and more accessible than ever to get around."
Self-driving vehicles will need to achieve a level of safety "at least as high as competent and careful human drivers" under the terms of the Automated Vehicles Act.
The consultation launches today, with representative groups, industry stakeholders, trade unions and members of the public having 10 weeks to give their feedback.