Automated passenger service (APS) permits
An automated passenger service permit is what lets an organisation run a self-driving passenger service — a taxi/private-hire- or bus-like service without a human driver. It exists under Part 5 of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024, and the 2026 APS Regulations, already in force, set out how it works. This page covers who needs one, how long it lasts, where it applies, and how it relates to licensing and the pilot.
What an APS permit is — and who needs one
Organisations running self-driving passenger services need an APS permit under Part 5 of the Act.[1],[3] It is not a general “permission to run a self-driving vehicle”: it is specific to carrying passengers. An operation that does not carry passengers is not pulled into the APS regime by these Regulations (though it may still need the pilot route’s Vehicle Special Order and vehicle listing — see the pilot scheme guide).
Validity, renewal and the permit lifecycle
The statutory maximum is that a permit may be valid for up to five years.[3] The Regulations set out procedures for renewal, variation, suspension and withdrawal, and for reviews of decisions.[3] Because permits run on a rolling expiry, renewal tracking is a live compliance task, not a one-off.
| Stage | What happens | What to keep |
|---|---|---|
| Apply | Application to DVSA, with consent from relevant authorities | Application, safety case, consent evidence |
| Hold (up to 5 years) | Operate within the permit’s conditions | Records the conditions require, kept current |
| Vary | Change to scope or conditions during the term | The variation and its basis |
| Renew | Apply before expiry to continue | Renewal application and updated evidence |
| Suspend / withdraw | Regulator action; a review of the decision is available | Correspondence and any review request |
Where APS permits apply
Territorial scope is not uniform, and getting it wrong is an easy mistake. The Regulations apply to bus-like automated passenger services in England, Wales and Scotland,[3] while taxi- and private-hire-like services are covered in England.[3]
| Service type | Geographic scope | Who must consent |
|---|---|---|
| Bus-like | England, Wales & Scotland | Bus franchising bodies in a franchised area |
| Taxi / private-hire-like | England | Each taxi/PHV licensing authority in the service area |
Who grants a permit, and the role of local authorities
DVSA grants APS permits on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport — local authorities do not issue them.[4],[5] But local consent matters: where the service resembles a taxi/PHV service (England) or a bus in a franchised area, the relevant authority must consent, and affected traffic authorities are consulted. Consenting authorities have six weeks to respond.[4] Applications are made through the live DVSA service.
The consent step in practice
| Step | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Early engagement | Informal discussion with affected authorities (no fixed timescale) |
| Formal consent request | DVSA requests written consent from consenting authorities |
| Six-week window | Authorities give or refuse consent, with reasons for a refusal |
| No response / unexplained refusal | Consent is treated as given |
How a permit relates to licensing and the pilot
An APS permit can disapply existing taxi, private-hire and bus licensing where it applies, and attaches its own conditions instead.[3],[1] A permit is notauthorisation of the vehicle itself — under the pilot, a passenger service still needs the Vehicle Special Order and vehicle listing route as well as the APS permit. In other words: the permit covers the service; the pilot route covers the vehicle.
Applying — and the fee position
Applications are made to DVSA through its APS permit service. The current permitting guidance and application service do not set out a permit fee, so we do not quote one — confirm the position with DVSA when you apply.[4],[5]
Not sure what applies to your operation?
Our free autonomous-vehicle compliance checker walks you through the questions that decide which regime, authorities and records apply, and points you to the primary sources to confirm against. It is guidance, not a legal determination.
Open the compliance checker →Where Complys fits
Complys does not grant permits or provide legal advice. It keeps the evidence a permit relies on — the safety case, consent correspondence, conditions, incident and maintenance records — organised, and tracks the permit’s renewal date so it doesn’t lapse. See the compliance software overview.
FAQs
Does every self-driving vehicle need an APS permit?
No. An APS permit is specifically for automated passenger services — carrying members of the public in a taxi/private-hire- or bus-like service. A self-driving operation that does not carry passengers (for example goods delivery, or a private trial) is not brought into the APS permitting regime by these Regulations, though it may still need a Vehicle Special Order and listing under the pilot route.
How much does an APS permit cost?
The current permitting guidance and the DVSA application service do not set out a permit fee. Rather than quote a figure that isn't published, confirm the current position with DVSA when you apply. We will update this page if a fee is published.
Explore the framework
Primary sources
Each numbered source is the primary reference for the claims marked with it above. This is a developing area — always check the latest guidance.
- [1] Automated Vehicles Act 2024 — UK Parliament / The National Archives (UK, GB). Published 2024-05-20. Checked 2026-09-20.
- [2] Self-driving vehicle pilot scheme: information for applicants — Department for Transport (ENGLAND, WALES, SCOTLAND). Updated 2026-09-17. Checked 2026-09-20.
- [3] The Automated Vehicles (Permits for Automated Passenger Services) Regulations 2026 — UK Parliament / The National Archives (ENGLAND, WALES, SCOTLAND). Published 2026-04-23. Checked 2026-09-20.
- [5] Apply for an Automated Passenger Service (APS) Permit — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (ENGLAND, WALES, SCOTLAND). Checked 2026-09-24.
This guidance is maintained by the Complys team and reviewed against the primary legislation and GOV.UK / DVSA / VCA sources listed above (last reviewed September 2026). It is general information, not legal advice, and this is a developing area — always confirm against the official sources, which show their own dates above.