Politics · United Kingdom · 7 hrs ago
London drivers' union urges halt to driverless taxi rollout
The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain is urging London to halt the introduction of driverless taxis.
Its call follows a London Assembly committee report that says it has not seen enough evidence to support autonomous passenger services in the capital.
Companies including Waymo, Wayve and Baidu are preparing services, and some have tested vehicles in London.
Around 105,000 people hold private-hire driver licences in London, and the union says driverless cars could threaten thousands of jobs.
The committee also raised concerns about safety, accessibility and added traffic, including vehicles travelling empty between fares.
It stopped short of calling for a ban, instead recommending tougher safety requirements and powers for Transport for London to limit vehicle numbers and seek permit suspensions.
The union wants the rollout stopped, while the committee's recommendations point to tighter oversight rather than a full halt.
The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has urged Transport for London to halt the rollout of driverless taxis in London.
The union says the technology could put thousands of private hire drivers out of work.
A London Assembly Transport Committee report said it had not heard enough evidence to support autonomous passenger services in the capital.
The report raised concerns about safety, congestion, accessibility and the division of regulatory powers.
It recommended tougher safety requirements and greater powers for TfL, but stopped short of calling for a ban.
- Who
- The IWGB, representing private hire drivers, is calling for a halt to the rollout. The London Assembly Transport Committee has recommended tighter safeguards.
- What
- The union wants driverless taxi services stopped in London; a committee report questions the city’s readiness and proposes stronger regulation.
- When
- The Register published its report on 12 October 2026. The committee report was published on the Monday before the article.
- Where
- London, England.
- Why
- The union says driverless cars could threaten thousands of drivers’ jobs. The committee report raises concerns including safety, congestion and accessibility.
IWGB Private Hire Drivers Union
London Assembly Transport Committee
Rollout
IWGB Private Hire Drivers Union
The IWGB opposes the rollout and wants it halted.
London Assembly Transport Committee
The committee stopped short of calling for a ban and recommended tougher safety requirements.
Driver impacts
IWGB Private Hire Drivers Union
The union warns driverless technology could put thousands of drivers out of work.
London Assembly Transport Committee
The committee wants TfL to work with unions and operators to retrain, redeploy and fund affected drivers.
A driverless test car reportedly entered a police crime scene cordon.
A driverless test car was filmed turning the wrong way into a one-way street.
A collision involving a test car and a motorcycle was reported.
The London Assembly Transport Committee report was published.
- Licensed private hire drivers
- Around 105,000 in London
- Public opinion
- 42 percent opposed autonomous passenger vehicles; 29 percent supported them
- Likely use
- 29 percent said they would be likely to use an autonomous passenger vehicle
- Waymo launch plan
- A commercial fleet of “low hundreds” this year, subject to regulatory approval
- Freenow and Baidu
- Targeting a fully driverless launch in 2027
What people are saying
The IWGB Private Hire Drivers Union opposes the rollout of driverless cars
Every car feeds a family, and the prospect of not being able to earn money leaves us all with a deep uncertainty as to how we will provide for them. We already struggle to get by as it is
As it stands, we currently have not heard sufficient evidence to persuade us that London should welcome autonomous passenger services
Sources
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