London Assembly warns capital is not ready for robotaxis and calls for fleet caps and stronger TfL powers

From the Newshound archive · first published 12 October 2026 · last updated 13 October 2026.

London's transport oversight body has thrown up a roadblock to driverless taxis in the capital, concluding that Waymo, Wayve and Baidu have not demonstrated their technology meets the safety bar required for London's roads. The London Assembly's transport committee released a 66-page report calling on TfL to withhold commercial approval until more robust protections are established. Committee chair Caroline Russell cautioned that robotaxis risk worsening congestion and adding strain to public transport. The report sets out 13 recommendations, among them granting TfL the authority to limit autonomous vehicle numbers and revoke operator permits.

The committee said it heard no "convincing proposals" to protect passengers from assault, medical emergencies or coercion while travelling without a driver.

Taxi and private hire unions warned thousands of jobs and family incomes are at stake, calling on Sadiq Khan and TfL to stop driverless cars being "unleashed" on London's streets.

The report wants full licensing powers devolved to TfL by 2027, including the right to demand operators report crashes and near-misses within 24 hours.