Self-Driving Trust Index

The race to bring self-driving vehicles to public roads is accelerating, but not all countries are moving at the same speed. Meanwhile, many manufacturers globally are investing in autonomous technology. A new study from car insurance comparison site, iSelect, wanted to see how Australia compared to the UK in its trust for self-driving cars and technology. While the UK has seen some high-profile trials and testing programs, Australia’s progress seems to be slower.  

 But are Australians and Brits ready to embrace the change? How do they compare? The readiness gap is reflected in opinion with 41% of Brits expressing a positive outlook compared to 35% of Australians. However, scepticism is strong on both sides, with 44% of Australians and 39% of Brits saying they felt apprehensive about the prospect.      

The new study by iSelect on the Self-Driving Trust Index surveyed 500 drivers across Australia and 1,000 drivers from the UK to uncover real-world opinions, trust barriers, and the likelihood of adoption of the technology.  

Regional divides shape driverless car sentiment in the UK and Australia  

When asked about driverless cars operating locally, the UK appears slightly more optimistic than Australia. But when looking into different regions in each country, there are clear pockets of enthusiasm and strongholds of resistance.  

According to the research, Victorians have emerged as the most positive state towards driverless cars in Australia, with 42% revealing a positive sentiment towards autonomous vehicles in their local area. Meanwhile, Queenslanders felt differently, with 54% sharing a negative sentiment towards driverless cars in their area, compared to just 26% responding positively, reflecting more of a reluctance to embrace the technology.  

The UK revealed a similar regional divide. In London, well over half (66%) shared a positive outlook for driverless cars, the highest of any other region across the UK and Australia, suggesting the capital is eager to embrace self-driving vehicles. Meanwhile, Wales and Scotland remain firmly on the brakes, with around 53% of respondents in both regions expressing a negative sentiment towards the technology.   

Nearly 1 in 4 Brits will never trust autonomous vehicles 

Australians may be more cautious overall about driverless cars, but they’re more likely than Brits to accept basic automation. Over half of Australians (51%) say they’re comfortable with features like cruise control and lane assist, compared to just 40% of UK respondents. 

However, the UK shows a stronger appetite for more advanced systems. As many as 27% are comfortable with partial automation (where the car drives but the human stays alert). Notably, 11% say they’d be comfortable with full autonomous driving in any condition – more than double the 5% of Australians who feel the same.  

Despite this, very few in either country are ready for full automation, with 19% of Australians saying they wouldn’t trust any level of autonomy, compared to nearly one in four (23%) Brits. 

Gen Z Brits are the most likely to believe driverless cars will save lives 

According to the study, the safety perceptions of driverless vehicles are split across both countries and generations. While some are open to more advanced self-driving technology, many remain unconvinced it will make the roads safer. In Australia, only 23% believe autonomous vehicles will reduce accidents, while 28% think they could cause more. The UK is slightly more hopeful, with 30% expecting accident numbers to fall, but like Australians, 28% fear they could rise.  

Uncertainty is a significant factor on both sides of the world, with 32% of Australians and 26% of Brits unsure either way. This suggests many are still waiting for clear, proven evidence before believing driverless cars can outperform human drivers in keeping roads safe.  

The study also revealed that age and generation could influence optimism. In Australia, those aged 35–44 were the most hopeful, with 37% believing driverless vehicles will reduce accidents. In the UK, the Gen Z drivers lead with optimism, with 41% of those aged 18–24 saying that they expect accident rates to drop.

Humans vs AI: Public trust is still firmly with people on the road  

The real test of confidence is deciding who you would trust in a critical moment: a human driver or an AI-driven system. According to the research for most, when it comes to split-second road decisions, humans still come out on top. In Australia, 54% trust a sober, experienced human driver over an AI-driven system, with the UK close behind at 52%.  

Trust in AI-powered driving is much lower. Only 11% in Australia and 15% in the UK said they would trust an AI self-driving system over a human in a critical moment. A notable share in each country said that they would not trust either, with 20% of Australians and 13% of Brits believing driving always carries some inherent risk.  

Over 2 in 5 Aussies flat-out refuse to use self-driving cars 

While many are hesitant to ride in or purchase a self-driving vehicle, attitudes soften when the technology is used for deliveries rather than personal transport. In Australia, almost a third (30%) said they would be happy to receive groceries, parcels, or takeaways from a driverless vehicle. The majority (46%) take a cautious “maybe” stance, saying they’d try it but would want human support available. Only 23% say they would not trust or feel comfortable with driverless deliveries at all.  

Similarly, in the UK, 31% are comfortable with the idea, and 42% would consider it with human backup. Just over a quarter (26%) remain firmly against it.  

These results suggest autonomous vehicles may first gain traction through lower-risk, convenience-driven uses where the perceived consequences feel far less severe or personal.