Self-driving vehicles continue to attract scholarly attention, yet understanding beyond technological barriers is crucial. This study, using critical review and interviews with 21 participants, explores factors influencing UK user acceptance of autonomous vehicles (AVs) and the role of government and car manufacturers. Seventeen factors identified from literature were confirmed in interviews, with thirteen influencing users’ AV acceptance. Notably, reduced traffic congestion, environmental impact, increased mobility for non-drivers, and job market impact had little effect on acceptance. Three additional factors—social policy framework, company reputation, and technology testing—emerged as key AV acceptance enablers. The study proposes implications for government and manufacturers to drive self-driving car adoption.