Driverless cars: everything you need to know
What are they, how do they work, are they safe and what’s the law in the UK? We lay it out in our faff-free guide on autonomous cars
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By Ben Welham
Last updated: 4 June 2025
Driverless cars are new and exciting but also quite scary and unpredictable.
There are lots of grey areas and dark waters when it comes to autonomous cars, so we’d like to step into the ring and explain them in layperson’s terms.
What we’ll cover:
What driverless cars are
How they work
Pros and cons of driverless cars
Autonomous vehicle ethics
Examples of autonomous cars
Autonomous car levels
Technology and AI
Safety
Laws and legislation in the UK
Driverless cars in the UK and US
Autonomous cars and insurance
The history and future of autonomous vehicles
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What are autonomous vehicles?
In a nutshell, autonomous vehicles – also known as self-driving or driverless vehicles – are equipped with technology that allows them to operate without direct human input.
They use a combination of hardware and software systems to perceive their environment, make decisions and navigate roads safely.
This is done via a range of sensors and clever computers working behind the scenes, and there are different levels of autonomous driving to know about, which we touch on later.
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How do driverless cars work?
Driverless cars use a series of sensors to collect data about their surroundings:
Cameras: Identify road signs, lane markings, pedestrians and other vehicles
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging): Measures distances by bouncing laser light off objects to create 3D maps
Radar: Detects the speed and position of nearby objects, especially in poor weather
Ultrasonic sensors: Used for close-range detection, such as parking
GPS and IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit): Track the vehicle’s exact location and movement
Pros and cons of driverless cars
Like with all things, there are pros and cons to driverless cars, and some of the most debated are:
Pros:
Increased safety
Improved traffic flow
Greater mobility for all
More fuel and energy-efficient
Cheaper insurance comes with increased safety promises
Cons:
Expensive technology
Technical limitations
Cybersecurity risks
Job losses for taxi and bus drivers
Moral and legal debates
Autonomous vehicle ethics
This is one of the biggest debates when it comes to driverless cars. There are so many ethical considerations involved, and a robot will have to make a choice no matter what.
For example, if a collision approaches and to the left is an elderly lady crossing the road and to the right is a group of school children, but straight ahead is a wall, the car needs to make a fast decision on whether to prioritise the safety of its occupants or risk the lives of others.
Another factor to consider is if the driverless car somehow causes an accident (because believe it or not, accidents can happen), then is it the fault of the manufacturer of the car, the AI software developer or the passengers in the car?
These, among other things, are why a lot of people have reservations about the driverless vehicle.
Sam Sheehan, our motoring editor, said: “With so many ethical considerations to make, autonomous cars are really going to have their work cut out for them.
“It’s hard enough for humans to make tough decisions, let alone a robot that’s learning the ropes at the same time.”
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Who makes driverless cars?
More and more companies have started making driverless cars, and some of these include:
Examples of driverless cars
Tesla has been a leading light in the driverless car market for a long time, and now all of its cars (including the Model 3 and Model Y) are fitted with hardware capable of full self-driving – but you’ll need to pay extra to drive around un-aided, where it’s permitted to do so.
But aside from traditional car brands, companies such as Waymo have entered the space by using Jaguar I-PACEs as the base and making fully autonomous taxis that patrol around certain parts of the United States, covered in sensors and cameras.
Autonomous car levels explained
There are five different levels of autonomous driving laid out by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), each unlocking a new level of automation.
Level 1
Level 1 is the most basic ability and means features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. This is where the driver is still very much in control, and most modern cars come with these features.
Level 2
Move up to Level 2, and this is where the car can control the speed and steer simultaneously, with the driver still very much aware of what’s going on, like Tesla’s ‘Basic Autopilot’.
Level 3
Level 3 is where the car begins to fully take over in certain conditions, such as the motorway or in traffic, where it’ll speed up and slow down when following the car in front. This still requires human backup when prompted.
Level 4
Level 4 is where it gets serious. This is where cars such as the Waymo taxi steps in, which are able to drive themselves without any human intervention.
Level 5
Level 5 has not yet been reached by manufacturers, but it is the end goal. This is where the autonomous vehicle can drive itself in all conditions, anywhere, without the need for a human.
Companies around the world are currently investing billions into this area to try and be the first to market, but none have been successful yet for a number of reasons.
But picture this. You finish work on a Friday afternoon, step into your Level 5 autonomous car, then wake up hundreds of miles away by the seaside or in the countryside. What a pleasant thought.
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Driverless car technology
Driverless car technology is achieved by combining a range of different technologies, including AI, GPS mapping, LiDAR, radars, cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and control systems.
Sam said: “It’s a very complex amalgamation of tech, but all of them are essential for success. Think about all the components hidden away inside the phone you’re probably reading this on, now times that by 10 and beyond.”
AI and driverless cars
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are vital for the success of driverless cars.
AI, in many ways, is the brain of the vehicle, helping it to control and function. Whereas machine learning is a series of algorithms that process sensor data, recognise objects, predicts movements and makes decisions.
Through this, the AI chip can do something called ‘deep learning’ to help improve its performance over time as it learns from experience, like us humans do.
Safety and driverless cars
Safety is always a big concern with any new piece of tech, and driverless cars are no different. In fact, the reservations are greater because it’s the thought of the unknown that frightens people.
It’s said that 94% of all car crashes are caused by human error, and therefore robots are, in theory, better because they don’t get distracted, drunk, sleepy or emotional.
AI systems also have a 360-degree view of the road, eliminating blind spots and detecting potential collisions far earlier than any one human could.
They also have more consistent rule following, and should not stray from lanes, run red lights or text at the wheel.
So far so good then?
Well, there are rightly some reservations too, and these stem from a few key areas.
A lot of the tech struggles in different weather conditions, and like humans, may be restricted in fog, or may not even be aware that fog is the issue.
There is also confusion at the moment with regard to Level 2 and Level 3, as it isn’t clear whether a human should interfere and when in the event of an emergency, though reflexes usually do the right thing here.
Then there’s also the threat of cybersecurity risks and system failures that are a global issue for all different types of tech.
When will driverless cars be available in the UK?
Driverless cars are anticipated to be available on UK roads in 2026 (though the current government may push this into 2027), following the enactment of the Automated Vehicles Act in May 2024, as stated by the UK government.
This legislation provides a comprehensive legal framework for the deployment of autonomous vehicles, aiming to enhance road safety and position the UK at the forefront of self-driving technology regulation.
Are driverless cars legal in the UK?
Not completely. At the time of writing, it’s just Level 1 and Level 2 autonomous cars that are allowed on our roads, and if a car has the capability to use a higher level, it’s disabled.
This means there are no autonomous cars currently registered for use in the UK.
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Driverless cars in the UK
Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes is a major testing ground for autonomous vehicles in the UK. Thanks to the unique way the city is laid out, it’s a perfect place to try out this technology, with very straight roads and lots of roundabouts.
So far, taxis and shuttle buses have been tested there to help not just the UK, but Europe and the wider world.
Driverless cars in the US
San Francisco
The US, on the other hand, has more relaxed views on driverless cars – in some states at least.
Cities such as Phoenix, Los Angeles and San Francisco are examples of places where robotaxis are welcome to roam and operate.
Full Level 5 autonomy is not yet available, but these Level 4 taxis are in full working order already, and have been around since testing began in 2021.
How will autonomous cars affect insurance?
The fact of the matter is, no one really knows how driverless cars will affect insurance, but we can make some educated guesses.
The first thing to consider is the shift in liability from a human to a robot, because the current style of car insurance simply wouldn’t accommodate that.
Instead, the model is going to have to change to making manufacturers, software developers and fleet operators at least somewhat responsible for any unlucky instances, but no one knows how this would work.
Sam added: “You also need to consider new types of coverage, which could include extras such as cybersecurity insurance, software malfunction coverage and product liability insurance.
“But, even after all this is considered, if there are fewer accidents then, in theory, insurance premiums could be lower. Only time will tell.”
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The history of autonomous vehicles
Development into proper autonomous vehicles began back in the 1980s, though forms of autonomous cars have existed for centuries.
They only really started to establish themselves in the late 1990s when they became far better on private test tracks.
Then, by 2021, they were being tested on the public road, and now they’re allowed on them alone, in some places.
The future of driverless cars
The future of driverless cars feels very much still in the air. They’re coming for sure, but it depends on when and who develops the first successful Level 5 cars.
But it is predicted that by 2030, many cities around the world will have adopted driverless taxis, shuttles and delivery vans.
For now though, the best we can do is wait in anticipation and enjoy what we have now.
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