Photo: Waymo
Waymo has officially become the first company to receive a permit to begin testing autonomous vehicles in New York City. The approval, announced Friday by Mayor Eric Adams and the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), allows Waymo to operate up to eight vehicles in parts of Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn until late September 2025.
The milestone marks a major step for the Alphabet-owned company as it eyes expansion into one of the most challenging driving environments in the world. However, the permit comes with strict conditions. All vehicles must have a trained AV-specialist behind the wheel at all times, and the approval only applies to testing autonomous driving technology. Commercial robotaxi services remain prohibited under current New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) rules.
“We’re a tech-friendly administration and we’re always looking for innovative ways to safely move our city forward,” said Mayor Adams. “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. As we continue to implement responsible innovation, we will always prioritize street safety.”
“As autonomous vehicle technology expands across the country, DOT has put in place comprehensive safety guidelines to ensure safe, responsible testing on our city’s streets,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez.
“With over 10 million rides completed in five major U.S. cities and a strong safety record, we’re proud to be working with leaders to lay the groundwork to bring this life saving technology to New Yorkers one day, beginning with receiving the first-ever permit issued in the city to drive autonomously,” said Annabel Chang, Waymo’s head of U.S. state and local public policy.
“We believe it is essential for companies to collaborate directly with cities on the rollout of autonomous technology and are pleased to have reached this next step in New York City.”
The approval comes just two months after Waymo announced plans to return to New York City as part of a broader expansion push. At the time, the company said it would advocate for state-level policy changes that would eventually allow it to offer fully driverless service in the city. For now, the DOT’s pilot program requires close coordination with city officials, regular data reporting, and adherence to strict cybersecurity best practices.
Beyond New York, Waymo continues to scale its robotaxi operations across the U.S. The company is preparing to launch its service in Dallas next year, adding to its existing presence in cities like Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin. In Austin, Waymo recently expanded its service area to compete more directly with Tesla’s growing Robotaxi fleet.
While New Yorkers won’t be hailing Waymo robotaxis just yet, the company’s entry into the market sets the stage for what could eventually become one of the largest and most competitive battlegrounds for autonomous ride-hailing.
