Khastgir predicts that autonomous vehicles (AVs) won’t appear on UK roads before 2028. He questions the current “self-driving” claims, clarifying that even the most advanced Tesla systems offer assistance rather than true autonomy.
At present, two systems in Europe and the UK can officially be classified as autonomous:
- BMW Personal Pilot: Available in the 7 Series
- Mercedes-Benz DrivePilot: Found in the S-Class and EQS models
However, these systems aren't legal on UK roads. Even in Germany, their use is restricted, especially in bad weather conditions.
While Uber is eager to deploy autonomous taxis in the UK, differing regulatory approaches complicate the situation. In the US, manufacturers self-certify vehicles, with legal issues handled by the courts. In contrast, the UK requires third-party certification by independent bodies.
Terms like “Full Self-Driving” can be misleading. In the UK, it's illegal for car manufacturers to suggest a vehicle can operate autonomously when it cannot. As of 2025, the UK’s list of authorized self-driving cars is still empty.
Professor Khastgir points out our increasing familiarity with assisted-driving features behaving unexpectedly, such as unnecessary emergency braking. These issues are problematic even with a driver present, and they're unacceptable for AVs.
Despite the challenges, the UK aims to be a leader in autonomous technology. However, with rigorous regulations and unpredictable weather, the journey to self-driving vehicles in the UK will require more hands-on involvement than expected.
In summary, while the dream of a driverless future endures, the UK faces significant technological and regulatory hurdles before self-driving cars become a reality.
