The government is launching a brand-new consultation on self-driving (or autonomous) vehicles as it looks to begin trials on UK roads in 2026.
Next year’s target is rapidly approaching, which has prompted the Department for Transport and other government bodies to take action.
The key parameters that the consultation will look at are safety, regulation, accessibility and regulation with a permit scheme set to be launched to allow trials on the road to begin.
With the recent announcement that the government is bringing forward the launch date for pilot schemes of self-driving passenger vehicles to Spring 2026, this is part of the regulatory process to ensure that can happen…
The Future Of Self Driving Vehicles
Autonomous vehicles have been long mooted, and companies such as Uber and Google have already stated that the technology is ready, but regulation plays a crucial role in developments as big as this.
For fleets, semi-autonomous technology already exists and the introduction of autonomous technology will depend on how well the test pilot schemes go, coupled with the price points, availability and how the government approach the phased introduction.
CLICK HERE to read the full story on the new self-driving consultation launched by the government
The trial schemes are bringing businesses on board to test small scale services without a safety driver for the first time ever, which will be for taxis and passenger services when the Automated Vehicles Act launches in late 2027.
While safety is a crucial aspect of the trials, there’s also the changes in policy that the government will need to consider when it comes to any driving offences or road regulations.
Trust in driverless technology is vital, too. Research has shown that the public’s tolerance of incidents is likely to be lower with autonomous vehicles, so the safety standards need to be near perfect to develop positive perception.
These test phases are a key part of that, while many driverless vehicles will still require a qualified driver to be sat at the wheel and responsible for its operation even when it is in autonomous mode.
What Does It Mean For Fleets?
It goes without saying that driverless technology will impact fleets in one way or another in the coming years.
While many in the sector will be seeking assurances over the future, the reality is that there will still be plenty of role in the sector…
But the nature of those roles could well change significantly as autonomous technology develops.
The reality, though, is that the biggest issue around driverless and autonomous technology is safety, so assurances from manufacturers and a track record of performance are pivotal.
The monitoring of autonomous technology will become more important than ever and being able to recognise potential issues will become an invaluable skill.
Monitoring risk for your drivers and your fleet will become even more important in the coming years, which is why our Risk Monitor module is geared up to help you stay on top of your drivers’ safety – find out more about Risk Monitor here.
What do you think about the introduction of self-driving vehicles? Would you consider introducing the technology as part of your next replacement cycle once they’re road legal and available to purchase? Let us know…
