In this guide
Short answer: since 3 September 2026, Uber has matched some London riders with Wayve's self-driving cars when they order UberX, Uber Comfort or Uber Electric. Every car has a licensed safety driver, airports are excluded, and with fewer than 20 cars most riders won't be matched yet. Waymo has confirmed a London launch with its own app, but no date.
London is the first big European city with autonomous rides on a mainstream app. It is a supervised service for now: the car drives itself, but a person sits in the driver's seat. Here is how it works as of October 21, 2026.
Wayve on Uber: how it works
- Open Uber and request UberX, Uber Comfort or Uber Electric anywhere in the service area (Greater London, excluding airports).
- Turn on autonomous vehicle preferences in the app to improve your chances of a Wayve match. It costs nothing extra.
- If you're matched, the app and an in-car screen show the planned route, in up to 64 languages.
- Prefer a regular driver? You can decline the Wayve car before it arrives.
The cars are all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-Es fitted with Wayve's AI driver and surround sensors. Transport for London granted them private hire vehicle licences in August 2026, and each one carries a TfL-licensed safety driver.
Why most riders won't get one yet
The launch fleet is fewer than 20 cars, and more than 140,000 Londoners joined the waitlist. Expansion depends on demand and on regulatory approval. Taking the safety driver out needs further approval under the UK's pilot framework for self-driving passenger services, the first step under the Automated Vehicles Act.
Waymo in London
Waymo announced in October 2025 that it would launch a commercial robotaxi service in London in 2026, using Jaguar I-PACE cars operated with fleet partner Moove. It will use the standalone Waymo app, and Waymo will hold the operating permit directly. As of October 2026 the service had not launched. For how Waymo works in the US, see how to ride Waymo.
London options compared
| Wayve on Uber | Waymo (planned) | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Live since 3 Sep 2026 | Announced; no date |
| Safety driver | Yes | Waymo plans driverless operation, subject to approval |
| App | Uber | Waymo app |
| Area | Greater London, no airports | Not announced |
| Car | Ford Mustang Mach-E | Jaguar I-PACE |
Elsewhere in Europe and beyond
Waymo has also named Munich as a future market, and Wayve is preparing a pilot in Tokyo with Uber and Nissan. For fully driverless rides a short flight away, the UAE is the closest option: see driverless taxis in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The full list is in our city tracker.
Frequently asked questions
Are there driverless taxis in London?
There are autonomous taxis, but not yet without a driver. Since 3 September 2026, Uber matches some London riders with Wayve's self-driving Ford Mustang Mach-E cars, each with a licensed safety driver who can take over.
How do I get a Wayve car on Uber in London?
Request UberX, Uber Comfort or Uber Electric as usual. Turning on autonomous vehicle preferences in the app improves your chance of a match at no extra cost. The fleet is small, so most riders won't be matched yet.
When is Waymo launching in London?
Waymo has confirmed a commercial launch in London with its own app and Jaguar I-PACE cars run with fleet partner Moove. As of October 2026 it had not launched and no date was given.
Does the London robotaxi go to Heathrow?
No. The Wayve service covers Greater London but excludes airports for now.
Update log
- Guide published. Wayve on Uber since 3 September 2026; Waymo London launch date not yet confirmed.
Sources and official texts
- Tech Funding News: how to get an autonomous ride in London
- Bloomberg: Uber and Wayve win licences for supervised robotaxis in London (Aug 2026)
- Technology.org: Uber launches London's first robotaxi service
- TechCrunch: Waymo plans to launch a robotaxi service in London in 2026
- The Charge Port: robotaxi tracker (Wayve fleet and pilot framework)