Labour has announced new regulations for self-driving vehicles on UK roads, including new measures to ensure the technology can be used across the country in a safe manner.
Speaking in the House of Commons today, Simon Lightood MP confirmed the publishing of the Government’s response to its “protecting marketing terms” consultation.
He also outlined the Automated Vehicles (Marketing Restrictions) Regulations 2026 statutory instrument.
The Minister for Roads and Buses stated that the consultation demonstrated broad support for protecting certain words that can only be used to describe vehicles that can drive themselves.
Labour’s consultation intended to safeguard the integrity of the authorisation process, ensure public safety and build public trust in the technology.
Certain terms will be reserved exclusively for authorised or listed vehicles, including:
- automated
- automated driving
- autonomous
- autonomous driving
- drive autonomously
- drive itself
- driverless
- self-driving
Labour has unveiled new details on how self-driving vehicles will be introduced to the UK
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GETTY/PAMr Lightwood, who represents Wakefield and Rothwell for Labour, said the regulations would prevent users from being misled into thinking that vehicles that are not authorised automated vehicles can safely and lawfully drive themselves.
The Government warned that misleading marketing from major car brands could undermine trust and the successful adoption of self-driving vehicles.
He added: “The AV act sets out an authorisation process to determine whether a vehicle can drive itself safely and legally without being controlled or monitored by a human.
“This process would be undermined if businesses are able to claim that their vehicles are self-driving without getting the vehicles authorised, which may lead to confusion about vehicle capabilities and driver responsibilities.”
Self-driving cars could be available for hire in the UK as soon as next year | GETTY
Some responses to the consultation suggested that other terms, such as “robotaxi” and “AI driver”, will be regulated under the general confusion offence.
Labour said there may be other terms that develop over the coming years that could also mislead motorists into thinking a vehicle is able to drive itself.
It confirmed that it will keep section 79 under review, including the possibility of protecting further terms in the future.
The Transport Secretary will be responsible for enforcing the market offences under the terms of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024.
Waymo has already started trials of its self-driving vehicles across London | PA
Mr Lightwood’s response to the consultation stated that enforcement will be carried out by the Department for Transport’s agencies through civil powers under Schedule 5 of the AV Act.
It added: “Where a breach of the marketing offences results in criminal prosecution and conviction, the act sets the maximum penalty as a two-year prison term, a fine, or both.”
Labour will consider a wider programme of education, research and review following interest from some respondents.
A wider rollout of self-driving vehicles is expected to follow in the coming months as companies like Waymo begin to trial autonomous vehicles across London.