Passengers could book taxi and bus-style self-driving vehicles later this year, as applications are now open for operators to run cars across Great Britain.
The pilot scheme will enable firms – including Waymo – to bring cutting-edge technology to British roads, with the Government estimating the creation of thousands of jobs and unlocking billions for the economy by 2035.
Services could enhance journeys by supporting greater freedom and independence for older and disabled people, as well as expanding travel options across both work and leisure.
Self-driving technology could transform roads, with human error currently contributing to 88% of collisions on UK roads.
The Government says safety will be central to the pilot scheme, which will gather real-world evidence on how self-driving vehicles operate on everyday roads, from navigating busy urban streets to interacting with traffic and carrying passengers safely.
Services will be subject to rigorous approval checks by Government, including strict safety assessments to ensure the technology is protected against cyber and security threats.
Simon Lightwood, roads and buses minister, said: “Self-driving vehicles represent a transformative opportunity for Britain, opening up independent travel for disabled people and older adults, while driving growth and creating high-skilled jobs across the UK.
“This pilot scheme brings that future closer, giving passengers the opportunity to experience self-driving travel first-hand while ensuring safety always comes first.”
Local transport authorities, such as Transport for London, will also need to provide local consent to ensure services reflect local priorities.
The Government is working closely with safety and accessibility experts as it develops the regulations needed to safely bring self-driving vehicles to British roads.
Learnings from the pilots will support the development of self-driving vehicle regulations, which are currently being progressed by Government, following a call for evidence that closed in March.
Ben Loewenstein, Waymo head of policy and government affairs for the UK and Europe, said: “The UK is leading the way in enabling the safe deployment of pilot autonomous vehicle services. We hope to soon become part of London’s transport network and demonstrate the safety, accessibility and sustainability benefits of battery-electric autonomous vehicles through the government’s pilot scheme.
“We are working closely with the DfT and Transport for London to ensure our operations align with their goals.
“Waymo is serving riders in eleven major metropolitan areas in the US, providing over 500,000 rides each week. We are excited to bring our world-leading, fully autonomous ride-hailing service to the UK and help make transport in London safer and more accessible.”
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