Driverless cars are moving from concept to commuter reality on British roads. From spring 2026, ridesharing companies began piloting fully autonomous Level 4 vehicles in London, without a safety driver.
The passing of the Automated Vehicles Act of 2024 provides the UK a clear legal framework for vehicle approval, incident investigation, and operator accountability. Full commercial rollout is expected by late 2027.
Within the space of a decade, the UK moved from supervised trials to driverless passenger services. Eugene Herbert, CEO of MasterDrive, says “This, however, required alignment within their legal groundwork, insurance frameworks, and public infrastructure. That alignment is what will encourage the success of the pilot. In South Africa this is where the path looks markedly different.
“Regulatory and infrastructural issues limit implementation. The UK’s Automated Vehicles Act is a purpose-written law addressing liability, vehicle authorisation, and safety standards specific to self-driving systems. South Africa’s National Road Traffic Act is drafted for human drivers and adapting it will take deliberate legislative work rather than a simple amendment.”
Road infrastructure presents another challenge. “Autonomous systems rely on consistent lane markings, well-maintained signage, and predictable road surfaces to read their environment accurately.
“Many South African roads, particularly outside major metros, will need upgrades before an automated driving system can operate with confidence. The same applies to digital infrastructure. Reliable connectivity and mapping data is essential and significant investment is needed to reach the required standard for these vehicles.”
Public trust matters just as much as regulation. “Even in the UK, survey data shows many drivers remain uneasy about handing control to a machine, despite the country’s mature testing programme and years of public communication.
“South African road users, already navigating unpredictable driver behaviour and variable law enforcement, will want visible evidence of safety before embracing autonomous taxis or ride-hailing services. Building that confidence takes time, transparent trial data, and a willingness from operators to show their systems performing safely in real conditions.”
Herbert believes the conversation is worth having now rather than later. “Autonomous vehicles have the potential to change road safety outcomes, but only once our roads, laws, and data systems are ready to support it properly. The first step is a coordinated plan between government, insurers, and industry to build the foundation.
“The UK’s experience offers a blueprint: legislate early, trial cautiously, and communicate transparently. South Africa’s opportunity lies in learning from that sequence rather than repeating their mistakes. Starting with regulation, insurance and infrastructure considerations can make driverless vehicles more than just an ambition,” says Herbert.
Read more MasterTips
