Automated Vehicles Act 2024
| Act of Parliament | |
| Long title | An Act to regulate the use of automated vehicles on roads and in other public places; and to make other provision in relation to vehicle automation. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2024 c. 10 |
| Territorial extent |
|
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 20 May 2024 |
Status: Not yet in force | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Text of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
The Automated Vehicles Act 2024 (c. 10) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom creating a regulatory regime relating to the use of vehicular automation in England, Wales, and Scotland, and granting the government powers to operate that scheme. It also creates a number of criminal offences related to breaches of the rules.
Background
In 2018, Parliament passed the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018, the first primary legislation dedicated to self-driving vehicles.[1]
The Automated Vehicles Bill was introduced in the Lords on 8 November 2023.[2]
Provisions
The act allows "authorised self-driving entities" to legally operate self-driving taxi services.[3] To become an authorised self-driving entity, tests must demonstrate that the vehicle are at least as safe as careful human drivers.[4]
The act requires that the manufacturer of a vehicle bear the responsibility for accidents or injuries caused by a vehicle in self-driving mode.[5]
Implementation
In 2024, when the act was passed by the Sunak ministry, the intention of the UK Government was for the act to be operational from 2026, but this was delayed in 2025 to late 2027 by the Starmer ministry.[6][5]
References
- ^ Tyers 2024, p. 14.
- ^ Tyers 2024, p. 5.
- ^ Jervis, Tom (23 November 2025). "Are you ready for self-driving cars? Inside the autonomous car revolution". Auto Express. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Topham, Gwyn (11 June 2025). "'They're living in fantasy land': Uber to trial self-driving taxis in London next spring". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ a b Rosamond, Chris (19 May 2025). "Driverless cars won't get UK green light until 2027". Auto Express. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Speed, Richard (22 May 2024). "UK law gives green light to self-driving cars from 2026". The Register. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
Bibliography
- This article incorporates text published under the United Kingdom Open Parliament Licence: Tyers, Roger (1 March 2024). Automated Vehicles Bill [HL] 2023-24 (Report). House of Commons Library.