Research and analysis

RPC opinion: automated passenger services permitting scheme options

Regulatory Policy Committee opinion of the options assessment for the scheme submitted by the Department for Transport.

• From: Regulatory Policy Committee
• Published: 23 April 2026

Documents

RPC opinion: automated passenger services permitting scheme options

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RPC opinion: automated passenger services permitting scheme options

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Details

The policy relates to a new permit scheme for passenger-carrying automated services to operate on public roads.

The Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) gave a ‘green’ rating to the options assessment for the policy on 26 June 2025. This means that we considered it to be fit for purpose based on our scrutiny of the evidence and analysis supporting the case for why regulation is necessary. 

The RPC’s opinion refers to the evidence and analysis presented in the options assessment, not the policy itself.

Following issue of the RPC’s opinion, the government published the Automated Vehicles (Permits for Automated Passenger Services) Regulations 2026 impact assessment dated 16 April 2026. 

Under the Better Regulation Framework, the department is not required to submit the impact assessment to the RPC for further independent scrutiny.

Published 23 April 2026