The licensing completes the “triple-lock” requirement for private hire trips, under which the operator, driver and vehicle must all hold licences with the same licensing authority. For the vehicles to operate without a human driver, a separate approval would be needed from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Caroline Russell AM, chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, said the decision was expected. “The London Assembly Transport Committee has been investigating the proposed rollout of autonomous passenger vehicles in depth for the past few months. “Uber and Wayve had been clear they would start by operating with a licenced private hire driver at the wheel, without actually operating in fully autonomous mode.