Waymo has received official approval to begin testing its autonomous vehicles on the streets of New York City. On Friday, Mayor Eric Adams revealed that the company has been granted the city’s first permit for self-driving car trials, marking the start of such testing within the city this year.
Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, Google’s parent company, will begin testing up to eight vehicles in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn until late September, with the possibility of extending the program. In accordance with New York State regulations, each vehicle must have a safety driver present behind the wheel during operations.
Under current regulations by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, self-driving vehicles are prohibited from providing for-hire services.
Waymo has actively pushed for changes to these restrictions, appealing to Governor Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers. One such effort is Assembly Bill A3650, introduced by Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages, which seeks to eliminate the mandate for a safety driver in autonomous vehicle testing. However, the bill has remained inactive in legislative committee since it was first proposed in January 2025.
The development comes just two months after Waymo revealed that it had filed permit applications to test its vehicles in New York City with an ‘AV specialist’ onboard. NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez reassured residents that the agency has implemented strict safety protocols for the trial, emphasizing that public safety remains the top priority as the technology evolves on the city’s bustling streets. Waymo’s permit authorizes testing of its self-driving systems, but it does not permit the company to run a paid robotaxi service.
Waymo operates in five major U.S. cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, where it claims to have provided millions of rides. However, the company’s vehicles have been involved in accidents and faced lawsuits related to injuries and safety concerns. New York City has also expressed interest in adopting autonomous vehicles. Last year, the city’s administration introduced a set of safety guidelines to support responsible testing and launched a permit program to regulate such trials.
To offer rides with the autonomous vehicles, Waymo needs to obtain a license from the Taxi and Limousine Commission.
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