The UK Government has announced a new self-driving vehicle plan that could see the technology rolled out on British roads by 2025.

The self-driving vehicle plan – backed by a £100-million investment – will prioritise safety through new laws and create thousands of new jobs in the industry.

Some vehicles, including cars, coaches, and lorries, with self-driving features could be operating on motorways in the next year, and the new plans set out legislation which will allow for the safe wider rollout of self-driving vehicles by mid-decade.

This enables the UK to take advantage of the emerging self-driving vehicle market – which could create up to 38,000 jobs and could be worth an estimated £42bn.

Around £34m of the announced funding has been confirmed for research to support safety developments and inform more detailed legislation.

Legislation could include researching the performance of self-driving cars in poor weather conditions and how they interact with pedestrians, other vehicles, and cyclists.

Additionally, the government has announced that £20m of the funding will be used boost commercial self-driving services and enable businesses to grow and create jobs in the UK, following an existing £40m investment.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps commented: “The benefits of self-driving vehicles have the potential to be huge. Not only can they improve people’s access to education and other vital services, but the industry itself can create tens of thousands of job opportunities throughout the country.

“Most importantly, they’re expected to make our roads safer by reducing the dangers of driver error in road collisions.

“We want the UK to be at the forefront of developing and using this fantastic technology, and that is why we are investing millions in vital research into safety and setting the legislation to ensure we gain the full benefits that this technology promises.”

Self-driving vehicles have the potential to revolutionise transport, especially for those who don’t drive, better connect rural communities, and reduce road collisions caused by human error.

They could also provide more direct and timely services that enable people to better access vital services such as schools and medical appointments.

Vehicles that can drive themselves on motorways could be available to purchase within the next year, which users would need a valid driving licence for, so they can drive on other roads.

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The government is today consulting on a ‘safety ambition’ for self-driving vehicles to be as safe as a competent and careful human driver. This ambition would inform standards that vehicles need to meet to be allowed to ‘self-drive’ on the roads, and organisations, such as manufacturers, could face sanctions if standards are not met.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “Self-driving vehicles have the potential to revolutionise people’s lives, particularly by helping those who have mobility issues or rely on public transport to access the jobs, local shops, and vital services we all depend on.

“This funding will help unlock the incredible potential of this industry, attracting investment, developing the UK’s growing self-driving vehicle supply chain, and supporting high-skill jobs as these new means of transport are rolled out.”

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