Summary
The companies began carrying passengers in fewer than 20 vehicles, with Transport for London allowing up to 15 cars in a one-year trial. The vehicles are licensed as private-hire vehicles, so removing the safety driver would require a separate automated-passenger-services permit that neither company yet holds.
Why it matters
London’s milestone shows autonomy can enter a major European market through supervised deployment before regulators approve driverless operation. A paid safety driver means this trial demonstrates operational acceptance and real-world testing, not yet the cost structure of a driverless taxi.
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