Regulatory map › Great Britain
ROAT-JUR-UK · profil countries
Conditions for testing and operating automated vehicles, competent authorities and sources.
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Selected sources checked: · Working research overview · targeted review of provisions
Scope: Testing with a driver + driverless pilot + APS
The transitional nature of the framework is retained. Driverless pilots, testing with a driver and passenger service permits are distinguished. Earlier guidance describing planned APS commencement is read against the adopted SI 2026/437 and 439. Individual VSOs, specific permits and full civil liability remain outside the review.
The glossary explains each term’s tasks, legal status and sources.
Testing with a safety driver generally requires no specific testing permit if it complies with existing law. The vehicle must be roadworthy and insured, and the driver ready to take control. Non-compliance with particular technical or operational rules may require an exemption.
A pilot without a safety driver combines vehicle approval and registration, a VSO for necessary exemptions and listing as an automated vehicle under the 2018 Act. A passenger service additionally requires an APS permit. The VCA issues the VSO on behalf of the Secretary of State; APS has a separate statutory basis.
APS alone does not establish that the vehicle may operate without a driver.
The trialling organisation ensures test safety. Pilot guidance separately considers the operator; the APS holder fulfils service conditions. One or several persons may perform these roles.
The relevant national authority has power to grant APS permits. SI 2026/439 governs the Secretary of State’s competence only within its material and territorial scope.
Testing with a safety driver and a pilot without one are separate routes. A pilot system should perform the entire driving task without human driving or safety-critical monitoring; the guidance permits some remote assistance.
For testing, the guidance expects an appropriate safety case. Pilot guidance requires a documented safety case, a safety management system and evidence of operator capability.
These are guidance and assessment requirements; legally binding restrictions for a specific journey must be read in the VSO and APS permit.
Insurance remains a statutory condition of testing; compliance with guidance does not guarantee exemption from liability. Breaches of APS conditions or serious traffic and safety problems may lead to variation, suspension or withdrawal of the permit.
Full compensation arrangements for vehicles listed under the 2018 Act and criminal liability are not assessed in this overview.
The APS basis in sections 82–83 has been in force since 15 May 2026. SI 2026/439 provides a maximum five-year term; it applies to public service vehicle services throughout Great Britain and other APS in England.
The entire Automated Vehicles Act 2024 cannot be described as in force. Northern Ireland and separate rules for other services in Wales and Scotland are outside this overview.
The same seven questions, with answers side by side.
Guidance updated on 24 June 2026; Introduction, Legal requirements and Safety cases sections checked. Guidance must be distinguished from statutory duties.
Open official source ↗Scope, VSO and vehicle listing, Monitoring and control and Tables 1–4 checked on 7 September 2026. The text also contains earlier planned dates; APS commencement was checked separately against SI 2026/437 and 439.
Open official source ↗Revised text retrieved on 7 September 2026; section 82 in force since 15 May 2026.
Open official source ↗Revised text retrieved on 7 September 2026; in force since 15 May 2026. Effect of the permit on taxi, private hire and bus regulation.
Open official source ↗Official adopted text; commencement on 15 May 2026. Regulation 1(3) limits material and territorial scope; regulations 3 and 5–8 govern duration and interventions affecting permits.
Open official source ↗Official text; regulation 2 provides commencement from 15 May 2026 and exceptions in Part 5. This instrument did not bring the full authorisation architecture into force.
Open official source ↗Related ROAT records: ROAT-2026-0171
ROAT. Great Britain — country profile. ROAT Observatory. Working research overview; targeted source review on 7 September 2026. https://roat.sk/en/jurisdictions/great-britain/.
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The practical answers use the same evidence as the country comparison. Earlier research material with its own dates is retained below.
Jurisdictions › Great Britain
ROAT-JUR-UK
Great Britain is the control case in which dedicated responsible actors and an authorisation architecture were legislated before routine general deployment. The 2026 Automated Passenger Services permit is a targeted early route; the full authorisation framework and the statement of safety principles are still being implemented.
Automated Vehicles Act 2024 with phased commencement; Automated Passenger Services permits (SI 2026/439) in 2026; full framework planned for 2027.
In Module 01 · snapshot 2026-08-25 review snapshot
| Regime | Technical approval | Road access / operation | Actor allocation | Liability / risk | Behavioural rules | Infrastructure | International / cross-border | Range · asynchrony | Configuration family |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great BritainAPS permit bridge before full 2027 AV Act implementation | N3 | N2 | N3 | N3 | N2 | N1 | N2 | 2 · Significant | Actor / institutional-leading configuration with staged operational permitting |
Great Britain Actor / institutional-leading configuration with staged operational permitting | |||||||||
In Module 02 · snapshot 2026-09-07 review snapshot
| Regime | Deployment gate | Remote human role | Dominant deployment model | Legal status | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Britain – 2026 transitional current law | Automated Passenger Service permit under Part 5 of the AV Act 2024 (in force 15 May 2026) for eligible passenger services; other deployments run as pilots under vehicle special orders; Part 1 authorisation not yet commenced at snapshot | No German-style technical supervisor as universal core role; remote functions depend on operating model | Staged-permit model (APS permits and pilots ahead of Part 1 authorisation) | Partly in force: Part 5 (APS permits) from 15 May 2026; Part 1 authorisation and Part 4 marketing restrictions commence in 2027 | High |
Great Britain – 2026 transitional current law | |||||
Sources