Nearly nine out of 10 Northern Irish motorists refuse to get into a driverless car, survey reveals

A huge 89% of drivers in Northern Ireland say they are unlikely to get behind the wheel of a driverless car in the next five years.

Self-driving vehicles were once a concept reserved for the sci-fi genre, but in 2026, they’re very much a reality, with driverless taxis coming to UK roads this year. It seems that the future is now, but are drivers in Northern Ireland on board?

The conversation around autonomous vehicles has been filled with a lot of differing opinions, but when it comes to Northern Irish drivers, there’s almost a consensus, with nearly 90% saying they won’t use a driverless car in the next five years.

When respondents from Northern Ireland were asked why they were not likely to use a self-driving car, the fear of not being in control and the lack of trust in the technology were some of the most popular answers, but the enjoyment of driving was also a favoured response.

Adrian Flux, the UK’s largest specialist motor insurance broker, surveyed over 12,500 drivers and compared the results from an identical study they did a decade ago. 

When revisiting this topic with a new survey, it was found that Northern Irish motorists were some of the least likely to use autonomous features like adaptive cruise control, lane assistance, and emergency braking, suggesting that newer driving advancements weren’t a priority for them. 

Gerry Bucke, the company’s general manager, said: “As intriguing as it is, driverless technology is clearly controversial, and we shouldn’t dismiss the concerns displayed here.”

“It is shocking to see even those who use technology most, the younger generation, being some of the most sceptical, but maybe this can be seen as a sign. These advancements in motoring are exciting, but they need to be carefully considered.”

“We all want to feel safe and in control, whether we’re behind the wheel or in the passenger seat, and there are many who find true joy in driving. The companies who have developed these autonomous cars will have to think about this in order to be welcomed onto our roads.”

Self-driving taxis will soon be on the roads in London with Transport for London (TfL) granting Private Hire Vehicle Licences to autonomous firms, on the condition that a human driver is present. Journeys could begin later this year but Scots remain apprehensive about this too. 

The survey also revealed that this may not be welcome in Northern Ireland, as just over 80% said they wouldn’t hop into a self-driving taxi in the next year. Nearly 40% said, if they were to try one, they would spend their time monitoring the driverless ‘driver’. 

There was also concern amongst parents. Northern Irish drivers were the least likely to allow their child to use an autonomous taxi, with 72% selecting ‘very unlikely’ when asked.