London’s first self-driving taxis for hire hit the streets
Thursday, 3 September 2026
Warm-up
- Have you ever used a taxi app? What did you like or not like?
- Would you ride in a car that drives itself? Why or why not?
- What safety rules are important in cars in your country?
Vocabulary
- autonomous
- Able to work by itself without a human controlling it.
- license
- To give official permission for someone or something to operate.
- supervise
- To watch and check that work is done safely and correctly.
- approve
- To officially say yes to a plan, product, or action.
- milestone
- An important event that shows progress.
- rival
- A company or person competing to do the same thing as another.
- rollout
- The first time a product or service is offered to many people.
- modify
- To change something slightly to make it better or more suitable.
Reading
Londoners can now hire autonomous taxis, as rides in Wayve’s cars were added to the Uber app. Only 15 vehicles are licensed, so getting one may be rare. The launch is small, but Uber says it is a milestone for the city.
Each car has to carry a licensed human safety driver in the front seat to supervise and take over if needed. Transport for London licensed Uber and Wayve’s modified Ford Mustang cars as private hire vehicles. Cars without a safety driver must be approved by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, and that is seen as unlikely this year.
Wayve says its AI Driver uses a learning model, not big mapping used by some rivals. Uber hopes the rollout in London will help a wider move across Europe. Rivals such as Waymo and Baidu are also testing in the capital. Riders have to hail and unlock the car in the Uber app.
Comprehension
- Which app now offers rides in Wayve’s autonomous cars?
- How many vehicles are licensed for these rides in London?
- Who has to sit in the front seat during the ride?
- Which agency must approve fully driverless cars?
- What is different about Wayve’s tech compared with some rivals?
Grammar focus
Have to
Use "have to" (have/has/had) to show obligation or necessity. Use have/has for present needs (she has to), and had for past needs (they had to).
- Each car **has to carry** a licensed human safety driver in the front seat.
- Riders **have to hail** and unlock the car in the Uber app.
Grammar exercise
Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
- Visitors (have) ___ hail cars via the app.
- A safety driver (have) ___ supervise each trip.
- If sensors failed, staff (have) ___ stop the car.
- Riders (have) ___ unlock doors before entering.
- The company (have) ___ follow safety rules.
Discussion
- Would you try a self-driving taxi in your city? Why or why not?
- What rules should these rides have to follow for safety?
- Do you trust AI to drive in busy areas? Give a reason.
- How could robotaxis change travel in your country?
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