Stop the rise of driverless cars and support UK taxi drivers
The Issue
I am a Hackney carriage driver from the North East, and I have experienced firsthand the devastating impact that ride-hailing apps like Uber have had on our industry. With these platforms taking up to 50% commission from drivers, it has become increasingly difficult for many to make a viable living. But now, we face an even bigger threat – the rise of driverless cars.
Driverless cars are being marketed as a futuristic convenience, but the reality is that they pose a serious threat to the livelihoods of thousands of taxi and private hire drivers across the UK. The adoption of this technology would not only displace jobs but also fundamentally alter the fabric of our communities that rely on and trust local drivers.
The government is keen to advance technological innovations, but we must push back when these advancements threaten essential jobs and local industries. The taxi sector supports countless families and communities, providing a necessary service to areas not adequately covered by public transport.
Statistics show that over 290,000 people are employed in the taxi and private hire sector in the UK. These drivers, working hard in all weather conditions, must not be left behind or replaced by machines. According to a report from the National Taxicab and Livery Association, driverless cars could lead to a loss of up to 4 million jobs nationwide.
What can we do? We need your support in demanding that the UK government puts measures in place to protect our industry. We urge policymakers to invest in training programs for drivers, ensure fair competition by regulating commissions, and prioritize legislation that values human employment over automation.
Together, we can preserve the rich culture of the UK’s taxi trade and prevent an irreversible shift to automation that could have dire economic consequences. Let us stand together for drivers, their families, and the communities that depend on them every day.
Please sign this petition to stop the rise of driverless cars and to protect the livelihoods of hardworking taxi and private hire drivers across the UK.
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The Issue
I am a Hackney carriage driver from the North East, and I have experienced firsthand the devastating impact that ride-hailing apps like Uber have had on our industry. With these platforms taking up to 50% commission from drivers, it has become increasingly difficult for many to make a viable living. But now, we face an even bigger threat – the rise of driverless cars.
Driverless cars are being marketed as a futuristic convenience, but the reality is that they pose a serious threat to the livelihoods of thousands of taxi and private hire drivers across the UK. The adoption of this technology would not only displace jobs but also fundamentally alter the fabric of our communities that rely on and trust local drivers.
The government is keen to advance technological innovations, but we must push back when these advancements threaten essential jobs and local industries. The taxi sector supports countless families and communities, providing a necessary service to areas not adequately covered by public transport.
Statistics show that over 290,000 people are employed in the taxi and private hire sector in the UK. These drivers, working hard in all weather conditions, must not be left behind or replaced by machines. According to a report from the National Taxicab and Livery Association, driverless cars could lead to a loss of up to 4 million jobs nationwide.
What can we do? We need your support in demanding that the UK government puts measures in place to protect our industry. We urge policymakers to invest in training programs for drivers, ensure fair competition by regulating commissions, and prioritize legislation that values human employment over automation.
Together, we can preserve the rich culture of the UK’s taxi trade and prevent an irreversible shift to automation that could have dire economic consequences. Let us stand together for drivers, their families, and the communities that depend on them every day.
Please sign this petition to stop the rise of driverless cars and to protect the livelihoods of hardworking taxi and private hire drivers across the UK.
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Petition created on 6 August 2026