The Government has taken another significant step toward bringing autonomous vehicles onto UK roads, with fleets being directly for their input.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has launched a ‘call for evidence’ to help shape how self-driving vehicles should be introduced safely and consistently across the UK.
It’s a move that builds on the Automated Vehicles Act, which became law in May 2024, setting out liability rules and the legal groundwork for future deployment.
But with further legislation required before ‘fully’ driverless vehicles are able to operate on UK roads, the government are now seeking the thoughts of fleet owners and operators to help shape the future of autonomous vehicles.
This latest consultation marks the next stage of a journey that has been years in the making, as the Government prepares for advanced trials in 2026 and the introduction of passenger-carrying AV services from 2027 .
What Do Autonomous Vehicles Mean For Fleets?
In the consultation, the DfT is seeking feedback on several core areas, including:
- Safety standards and how these should develop as the technology evolves
- How AVs are authorised and licensed, including the roles of manufacturers and operators
- Incident investigation processes, to ensure clarity and accountability
- Cybersecurity requirements, particularly protection from international threats
- Data-sharing rules, especially around post-collision access for insurers
The Government has already acknowledged insurer concerns that access to post-collision data is essential for fair claims handling, something that has been highlighted by road safety experts.
Clear, mandated data-sharing rules may become a reality, though current language still leaves room for interpretation.
For fleets, the consultation isn’t just a technical exercise, it’s a preview of the operational landscape ahead. Self-driving vehicles are still several years from full deployment, with widespread use unlikely before 2027, but the impact on fleet operations, driver responsibilities, training, insurance, and risk management will be significant.
The reality is that as driverless vehicles become the norm, safety expectations will rise dramatically, and public tolerance for incidents involving AVs is predicted to be lower than for human drivers.
Fleets will need robust monitoring processes, clear audit trails, and confidence that regulatory frameworks support safe adoption.
What Does This Mean for Fleets Today?
Semi-autonomous features already exist in many fleet vehicles, but the step toward true autonomy is far more complex. Pilot schemes planned for 2026 will test small-scale passenger services without a safety driver present, which is a landmark first for the UK.
The consultation will remain open until 5 March 2026, with a second phase planned for later next year as final regulations are expected to take effect from the second half of 2027.
Understanding the risks, monitoring driver behaviour, and maintaining strong compliance processes will become more essential than ever.
Tools like Risk Monitor will help fleet managers stay ahead as technology changes and new responsibilities emerge.
What’s your view on the Government’s approach? Do AVs represent an exciting opportunity for your fleet, or do you think more testing and transparency are still needed before adoption? Let us know.
