As the UK gears up for the arrival of driverless vehicles on public roads by 2026, new research suggests the public remains deeply sceptical about the technology.
A survey of 1,000 adults conducted by motoring insurance comparison site Quotezone.co.uk found that 66% of respondents hold a negative opinion of driverless cars, while 84% said they wouldn’t be willing to own one.
The findings come as the UK government prepares to launch pilot autonomous taxi and bus services from spring 2026, with a wider rollout of fully self-driving vehicles expected by late 2027 under the newly enacted Automated Vehicles Act.
Despite the promise of reduced human error and improved road safety, the survey highlights a significant trust gap. Safety and accident risk topped the list of public concerns (24%), followed by fears of technical failure (18%), loss of human control (17%), and cybersecurity threats such as hacking (12%).
Greg Wilson, CEO of Quotezone.co.uk, said:
“While driverless technology continues to advance at pace, it seems public trust is still catching up. Many people remain understandably cautious about handing over control to a machine — especially on busy, unpredictable UK roads.”
He added that the shift raises complex questions around insurance and liability, with 11% of respondents citing this as a key concern.
“Who would be at fault in the case of a crash? The driver, the manufacturer, or the software provider? Insurers will need a robust framework to help drivers feel more secure.”
The Department for Transport says the new legislation will require autonomous vehicles to meet safety standards equivalent to — or better than — those of careful human drivers2. The government also hopes the sector will unlock £42 billion in economic value and create 38,000 jobs by 2035.
Quotezone says it will continue to monitor public sentiment as the UK moves closer to an autonomous future.
