TfL grants first self-driving minicab licences to Uber and Wayve in London
Fifteen Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles will operate with human safety drivers from later this summer
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Transport for London has issued the first minicab licences for self-driving taxis in the capital. The 15 licences, granted to Uber and the London-based autonomous vehicle developer Wayve, permit the operation of Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles equipped with Wayve’s artificial intelligence software. The vehicles will carry a human safety driver during trips.
The licences mark a milestone for London’s private hire sector, as the city becomes one of the first to host competing self-driving taxi services from American and Chinese technology firms. Uber and Wayve said they would begin offering rides to paying customers later this summer, though a full public launch is still pending.
Wayve robotaxis licensed in Barnet: first autonomous Uber rides to start this summer
TfL grants private hire licences to 10 electric Ford Mustang Mach-Es, but a driver must remain present
Safety and regulatory requirements
TfL confirmed that the vehicles met the required safety standards for operation on London’s roads. A spokesperson for the transport authority said the decision aligned with its Vision Zero goal, which aims to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from road collisions by 2041. The vehicles will be monitored, and TfL said it would intervene if passenger safety was compromised.
Before the taxis can operate without a safety driver, Uber and Wayve must obtain an automated passenger services permit from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. This additional regulatory step is separate from the minicab licences already granted by TfL.
TfL grants private hire licences to Wayve autonomous Ford Mustang Mach-Es in Barnet
Uber will offer rides to selected Londoners later this summer under supervision of a qualified driver
Public interest and next steps
Wayve, co-founded by Alex Kendall, has tested its technology in London since 2018. The company said more than 100,000 Londoners had joined its waiting list for the self-driving taxi service. Sarah Gates, Wayve’s vice-president for global affairs and assurance, said the licence was an important step towards giving residents access to autonomous driving technology.
The responsible deployment of these vehicles will bring us safer, cleaner and quieter streets, and we’re proud to continue working alongside regulators, communities and the public as we take the next steps towards making autonomous rides a reality in the capital.
Sarah Gates, Wayve vice-president for global affairs and assurance
Uber’s global head of autonomous mobility operations, Annie Duvnjak, said the licence was a key milestone for bringing autonomous rides to London. She highlighted the strong response from Londoners eager to experience Wayve’s technology, which was developed in the UK.
Uber reported second-quarter gross bookings of $58.02bn, equivalent to approximately £43bn, as part of its latest financial results. The company also announced plans to invest over $10bn in autonomous vehicles in the coming years, though it did not provide a specific timeline for the spending.
What happens next
The 15 licensed vehicles will begin operating with safety drivers later this summer. Uber and Wayve will need to secure an automated passenger services permit from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency before they can remove the safety drivers. TfL will continue to monitor the vehicles’ performance and safety during the trial period.
Questions this report answers
+How many self-driving taxis have been licensed in London?
Transport for London has granted 15 minicab licences to Uber and Wayve for self-driving taxis. These vehicles will operate with human safety drivers initially, with plans to expand pending further regulatory approval.
+When will the self-driving taxis start operating?
The taxis are expected to begin carrying paying passengers later this summer. Uber and Wayve have said they will start offering rides before a full public launch, though exact dates remain unclear.
+What is needed before the taxis can operate without safety drivers?
Uber and Wayve must obtain an automated passenger services permit from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. This permit is required before the vehicles can operate without a human safety driver present.
+How many Londoners have signed up for the self-driving taxi service?
Over 100,000 Londoners have joined the waiting list for Uber and Wayve’s self-driving taxi service. The companies reported strong public interest ahead of the trial’s launch.
News London Desk
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