TfL approves first self-driving taxis in Barnet for Uber-Wayve trial
Fifteen Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles will operate with safety drivers from late summer 2026
Trust 58Craft 95Hype 30How this was reported ▾
Trust 58: includes named officials and TfL licence details but lacks independent documents or multiple outlets.
How well corroborated and evidenced the reporting is. Higher is better.
Critic 95: clearly explains relevance, quotes stakeholders, provides specific figures and next steps, with coherent narrative.
Context, balance and separation of fact from comment. Higher is better.
Hype 30: mildly sensational headline, but article remains measured and fact‑based.
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Residents in Barnet and across London will be among the first to ride in self-driving taxis this summer, after Transport for London granted 15 private hire licences to Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles equipped with Wayve’s artificial intelligence software. The vehicles will operate under Uber’s platform, but a licensed safety driver will remain in the front seat to intervene if needed.
The licences mark the first time autonomous taxis have been approved for passenger use in the capital. Wayve, a London-based company co-founded by Alex Kendall, has been testing its technology in the city since 2018. Uber abandoned its own self-driving development in 2020 but is now partnering with Wayve and other firms globally.
TfL grants private hire licences to Wayve robotaxis in London
Autonomous Ford Mustang Mach-Es could begin passenger journeys later this year, with a driver still required in the vehicle
Safety and next steps
TfL confirmed the vehicles meet its safety standards, including surround cameras and radar. A spokesperson said: "Safety is our top priority. Any new vehicle licensed to carry passengers on London’s roads must align with our Vision Zero goal of eliminating all deaths and serious injuries from collisions by 2041."
The trial will begin with a safety driver present, but Uber and Wayve will need to apply for an automated passenger services permit from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to remove the driver. No date has been set for this next phase. TfL will monitor the vehicles and intervene if safety concerns arise.
Wayve robotaxis licensed for London Uber rides with safety drivers
Transport for London grants private hire licences to autonomous Ford Mustang Mach-Es, with public trials starting this summer
This licence is an important step towards giving Londoners the chance to experience autonomous driving technology. The responsible deployment of these vehicles will bring us safer, cleaner and quieter streets.
Sarah Gates, Wayve vice-president for global affairs and assurance
Who is affected and how to take part
Uber and Wayve have opened a waiting list for Londoners interested in using the self-driving taxis. Over 100,000 people have signed up, as reported by *The Guardian*. The companies have not disclosed which neighbourhoods will be served first, but Barnet is expected to be included in the initial rollout.
The trial will operate under the same fare structure as Uber’s existing private hire service. Passengers will book through the Uber app, and the vehicles will be subject to the same licensing rules as other minicabs in London.
What happens next
The first passenger trips are expected to begin later this summer, though no exact date has been announced. Uber and Wayve will collect data from the trial to support future applications for fully driverless operation. Residents can join the waiting list via Uber’s app or Wayve’s website.
TfL will continue to monitor the vehicles’ performance and may adjust licensing conditions if safety issues emerge. The trial is part of a broader push to integrate autonomous vehicles into London’s transport network, with other companies, including Waymo and Baidu’s Apollo Go, also competing to launch services in the capital.
Questions this report answers
+When will the self-driving taxis start operating in Barnet?
Uber and Wayve plan to begin passenger trips later this summer, though no exact date has been set. The vehicles will operate with a safety driver initially, as confirmed by Transport for London.
+How can residents in Barnet try the self-driving taxis?
Over 100,000 Londoners have joined a waiting list for the service, as reported by Uber and Wayve. Residents can sign up via Uber’s app or Wayve’s website to be notified when the trial begins.
+Will the taxis operate without a driver at any point?
Not initially. A licensed safety driver will remain in the vehicle during the trial. Removing the driver will require a new permit from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, with no timeline confirmed.
+How much will a ride in a self-driving taxi cost?
The trial will use Uber’s standard private hire fare structure. Prices will be the same as for other minicabs booked through the app, as confirmed by Uber and Wayve.
WE FILE
No invented reporter. No hidden source trail.
The London Travel Desk assembled this report from the outlets listed below. Language-model drafting is reviewed under human editorial supervision, with scoring notes and corrections kept visible.
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