The Department for Transport in conjunction with the Centre of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, and Simon Lightwood MP have launched a consultation to gather views from road users, industry and disability groups to help shape the rollout of autonomous vehicles.

Simon Lightwood, Roads and Buses Minister, said: “Self-driving vehicles represent a transformative opportunity for Britain – opening up independent travel for disabled people and older adults, whilst driving growth in a cutting-edge industry that will create high-skilled jobs across the UK.”

The consultation is looking to gather views on how to ensure autonomous vehicles are deployed safely and how they can be authorised and licensed effectively. It also explores how insurance for such vehicle will need to be structured.

The consultation states: “Currently, insurers rely heavily on evidence from insured drivers to process claims. The evidence used to process claims for incidents involving AVs will likely look very different. For example, whilst the vehicle is driving itself, the passengers may not be monitoring the road and may be able to provide less information as witnesses.”

It added: “Unlike some, although not all, conventional vehicles, AVs are also expected to generate large amounts of data during system operation. It is anticipated that this data, and the information that can be drawn from this, will be a key enabler of safety assurance, including the investigation of incidents.”

The consultation will run until 5th March.