Waymo received New York City's first permit to test autonomous vehicles with trained safety drivers, allowing up to eight vehicles through late September with a possible extension. Autonomous vehicles must always have a trained safety driver ready to take control. Waymo is not permitted to offer rides for hire because Taxi and Limousine Commission rules bar driverless commercial operation. City regulations require coordination with the Department of Transportation, regular safety reporting, and cybersecurity compliance. Waymo also obtained required state Department of Motor Vehicles permits. Mayor Eric Adams expressed support, while unions raised concerns about safety, emergency access, and job losses.
Self-driving cars will soon be rolling through the streets of Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn under the watch of a trained driver, but the rollout has met resistance from unions who are concerned about street safety, emergency access, and future job losses. Mayor Eric Adams and city transportation officials announced Thursday that Waymo has received New York City's first-ever permit to test autonomous vehicles under what officials called the nation's toughest safety rules. The permit allows the company to operate up to eight vehicles until late September, after which it can apply for an extension to its testing period.
As part of the pilot program, autonomous vehicles in the city must always have a trained safety driver behind the wheel, ready to take control if needed. The program is also limited in scope, as Waymo is not allowed to offer rides for hire due to current Taxi and Limousine Commission regulations that prohibit driverless cars from operating commercially. Under city regulations adopted last year, companies testing autonomous vehicles also require close coordination with the Department of Transportation, regular safety reporting, and compliance with cybersecurity standards.
We're a tech-friendly administration and we're always looking for innovative ways to safely move our city forward, Adams said in a statement. New York City is proud to welcome Waymo to test this new technology in Manhattan and Brooklyn, as we know this testing is only the first step in moving our city further into the 21st century.
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