The Automated Vehicles (AV) Act 2024 marked a significant milestone in the UK’s journey towards the safe and legal deployment of self-driving vehicles when it entered into force last year. However, the AV Act represented a framework piece of legislation that required multiple regulations to be enacted to bring it to life.

Published 15 December 2025

Following several consultations on issues such as misleading marketing, safety principles, and Automated Passenger Services (APS), the Government has now published its most comprehensive call for evidence yet.

This latest consultation is designed to lay the groundwork for how AVs will be authorised and regulated on UK roads, shaping the much-needed regulations and guidance that will follow.

What is in the call for evidence?

The Department for Transport’s call for evidence is split into two main chapters and poses numerous questions designed to inform how the scaled deployment of AVs on public roads in the UK can be realised.

It focuses on some of the key areas identified in the AV Act as requiring detailed regulations to be developed by government working in conjunction with industry and other affected stakeholders. These key areas include:

Chapter 1: Getting AVs on the road

• Type approval: Certifying AVs meet safety and technical standards.
• Authorisation: Deciding if a vehicle can legally drive itself on UK roads.
• Operator licensing: Setting requirements for companies running AVs with no driver on board.
• User-in-charge: Defining the role and training for people who may need to take control.
• Insurance: Exploring how AVs should be insured and how claims will work.

Chapter 2: Once AVs are on the road

• In-use regulation: Ongoing checks to ensure AVs remain safe and compliant.
• Sanctions: Penalties for non-compliance, such as fines or suspensions.
• Incident investigation: Independent reviews of AV-related incidents to improve safety.
• Cyber security: Safeguarding AVs and their systems from cyber threats.
• Accessibility: Making sure AVs are inclusive for all users.
• Environmental impacts: Managing and minimising AVs’ effects on the environment.

Key areas under consultation

The Government is seeking input on a range of targeted issues, including:

• How vehicles and operators will be authorised and monitored.
• The responsibilities and training required for users-in-charge and remote operators.
• Data sharing, insurance and privacy requirements.
• Ongoing safety, compliance and enforcement mechanisms.
• Ensuring accessibility and minimising environmental impacts.

A full list of consultation questions is provided in the annex to the call for evidence which can be accessed here.

What this means for businesses

For businesses operating in the mobility, automotive, insurance, technology, or logistics sectors, this consultation is a pivotal moment. The Government’s proposals will shape the regulatory landscape for years to come, affecting:

• Market access: The type approval and authorisation processes will determine how quickly and efficiently new AV products and services can be brought to market.
• Operational responsibilities: New roles such as Authorised Self-Driving Entities (ASDEs) and No-User-in-Charge Operators (NUICOs) will carry ongoing legal and financial obligations.
• Compliance and risk: Businesses will need to adapt to new standards for safety, data management, cyber security and insurance, with potential sanctions for non-compliance.
• Opportunities to influence: By engaging with the consultation, businesses can help shape practical, proportionate rules that support innovation while ensuring public trust and safety.

Why engage?

The Government’s approach is collaborative. By structuring the regulatory framework around targeted questions, it is inviting stakeholders to help build a system that is safe, fair and fit for the future. Responding to these questions is an opportunity to influence how self-driving vehicles (and products and services you may wish to bring to market in the future) are authorised and deployed in the UK. If you’re unsure how the proposals might affect your business, or how best to contribute, now is the ideal time to seek advice – your input could make a real difference.

Conclusion

The Government’s call for evidence is more than a set of rules – it’s a blueprint for the future of transport, shaped by evidence and expertise. Whether you’re a manufacturer, operator, service provider, insurer, or simply interested in the future of mobility, your input can help ensure the UK’s authorisation gateway is rigorous, transparent and ready for the challenges ahead.

If you’d like advice on responding to the consultation or want to discuss how these changes may affect your business, please contact Shoosmiths’ mobility sector team.