Waymo’s opportunity to bring its robotaxis to New York state has been blocked for the time being. Governor Kathy Hochul has withdrawn a proposal that would have amended vehicle and traffic laws to effectively legalize robotaxis in the state outside of New York City. A spokesperson confirmed the proposal was pulled because it lacked sufficient support from stakeholders and the legislature.
This is a setback for Waymo, which has spent years trying to test and deploy its service in New York. The company expressed disappointment but reaffirmed its commitment to bringing its service to the state. Waymo stated it will work with the legislature to advance the issue, emphasizing a collaborative approach focused on transparency and public safety.
Governor Hochul’s proposal had sought to change a state law requiring drivers to keep one hand on the wheel, a rule that prevents fully driverless vehicles. Even if passed, the proposal included significant limitations. It would have banned for-hire robotaxi services in cities with over a million people, required state commissioner approval, a one million dollar fee, and proof of substantial financial security. Any pilot would have needed clear local support.
With that proposal now dead, New York’s existing, more restrictive pilot program remains in effect. This program allows companies to test autonomous vehicles with an exemption to the hand-on-wheel rule, but it does not permit commercial robotaxi services.
Waymo is currently testing in New York City under a permit granted last August. That permit allows up to eight vehicles to operate in Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn with a human safety operator behind the wheel. That testing permission is set to expire on March 31.
Waymo operates commercial robotaxi services in several other major cities including Atlanta, Austin, Miami, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area. The company reports it provides over 400,000 paid rides weekly and aims to reach one million weekly rides by the end of the year.