Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that upcoming autonomous vehicle trials prioritise public safety and inclusive design practices, including engagement with disabled people and other underrepresented groups, and whether they have consulted with safety bodies such as the Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents about those trials.

Government announced in June fast-tracking the Automated Passenger Services Permitting Scheme to Spring 2026. This enables organisations to move beyond existing trialling and demonstrate the capability of their technology as passenger services.

Self-driving services provide an opportunity to enhance transport for older and disabled people. The Automated Vehicles Act 2024 requires that the Secretary of State considers to what extent the granting of a permit is likely to improve understanding of how these services should be designed for, and delivered to, older and disabled people. Permit holders are required to report on the steps taken to meet the needs and requirements of older and disabled people.

The Department is continuing to build an evidence base to better understand the opportunities that exist to enable innovative approaches in providing accessibility. A consultation on the proposed Automated Passenger Services permitting scheme is open until 28 September. We have also recently closed a call for evidence on our Statement of Safety Principles, through which the Department has gathered evidence, including from safety bodies, to support the setting of safety standards for autonomous vehicles.