Robotaxis and self-driving cars in the UK: where, when and what it costs
Where you can ride a self-driving taxi in the UK today, when driverless services are really due, and what the law allows. Updated weekly.
| Arrival | Status | Category | UK arrival |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayve × Uber | Landed | Self-driving | Live since 3 Sep 2026 |
| Waymo London | Delayed | Self-driving | End 2026 |
| Driverless pilots | No permits yet | Self-driving | No permits issued |
| Tesla FSD UK | Not approved | Self-driving | No UK approval |
The short answer: yes, you can be driven by software in London today, but there is still a trained safety driver in the seat. A taxi with nobody behind the wheel needs a permit that, as far as anyone has reported, no operator has yet been granted.
What you can actually book
The first self-driving rides open to the public in the UK run on the Uber app in London, using cars driven by Wayve’s software. You don’t book them separately. When you request certain Uber ride types you may be matched with one, and you can turn it down. You pay the normal fare. The safety driver is the important detail: legally and practically, this is a supervised service.
What’s coming, and what’s holding it up
Waymo, the company behind fully driverless taxis in several US cities, has said London is next. It has been testing on London roads with specialists aboard. It wants nobody in the driver’s seat, and that’s the difference that matters, because it needs the new permits created under the Automated Vehicles Act. Those permits have been available to apply for since spring 2026. Until one is granted, and Transport for London agrees, a driverless London service can’t start.
What about self-driving cars you can buy?
Several cars sold in the UK can steer themselves on approved motorway stretches, but the systems people usually mean by “self-driving” are not switched on here. Tesla’s city-streets system is the best-known example, and it still needs UK approval.
What it means for you
If you’re curious, a supervised robotaxi ride in London costs the same as an ordinary Uber, so it’s an easy thing to try. If you run a business that depends on transport, don’t plan around driverless taxis or deliveries yet. The board above shows the latest status of each, and it’s checked every week.
Quick answers
Can you ride in a self-driving taxi in the UK?
Live since 3 Sep 2026 (supervised); driverless operation TBC. London only (excluding airports); small fleet, with 15 cars reported as TfL-licensed; you may be matched when booking UberX, Uber Electric or Uber Comfort. Price: Normal UberX / Uber Electric / Uber Comfort fare, shown upfront; no surcharge.
Full record, timeline and sources for Wayve × Uber robotaxis (London)
When will Waymo launch in London?
Waymo says 'by the end of 2026'; no public launch date. A September 2026 target was reported from a Waymo briefing in January but hasn't been repeated on the record. Not available to the public. Testing with trained specialists aboard across a large part of London; register interest in the Waymo app. Price: Not announced.
Are driverless taxis legal in the UK?
Pilot permits possible since 15 May 2026; no driverless passenger pilot reported yet. Full AV Act regime from late 2027. England, Wales and Scotland framework in force; no driverless passenger service is running. Supervised trials (e.g. Wayve/Uber) operate under existing rules. Price: Not applicable (regulatory scheme).
Full record, timeline and sources for UK driverless taxi and bus pilots (Automated Vehicles Act)
Is Tesla Full Self-Driving available in the UK?
TBC. No formal UK application on record; unofficial trackers guess 2027. Ten European countries have approved it. Not enabled on UK roads; city-street 'FSD (Supervised)' features remain locked pending GB type approval. Price: Full Self-Driving Capability package reported at £6,800 in the UK (April 2026), but supervised city driving is not active.
Full record, timeline and sources for Tesla FSD (Supervised) in the UK