Self-Driving Vehicle Safety: Public Consultation Now Open
By William Fletcher MBE, Chief Executive Officer, New Reg Limited
The government is inviting drivers and members of the public to submit views on draft safety principles for automated vehicles before 9 September 2026.
The government has opened a public consultation on its draft statement of safety principles for automated vehicles, giving UK drivers a direct say in how self-driving technology will be regulated on British roads.
The consultation runs until 9 September 2026 and covers the core principles that will underpin safety standards for automated vehicles as the technology moves closer to mainstream use. Anyone can submit their views through the official process.
For everyday drivers, the principles being consulted on will shape how autonomous systems are tested, approved and held to account. Understanding what is being proposed now matters, because these rules are likely to influence the vehicles on sale in coming years.