Waymo Begins Autonomous Vehicle Testing on New York City Streets

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle division of Alphabet, has secured its first permit to begin testing self-driving cars on the streets of New York City. The new permit allows Waymo to operate a limited number of autonomous vehicles in parts of Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn, with a trained specialist required to remain behind the wheel at all times. This development marks a pivotal advancement for the company, which previously restricted operations in the city to manual driving and data collection.

The announcement came from New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, who emphasized the importance of safe integration of new transportation technologies. Waymo had returned to NYC in July 2025 after its initial data-collection phase in 2021 but had not yet conducted autonomous testing due to legal and regulatory hurdles.

New York State law mandates that all autonomous vehicle tests include a human operator ready to take control, ensuring an added layer of safety as self-driving technology navigates one of the most complex urban environments in the U.S. This cautious rollout aligns with broader efforts to balance innovation with public safety in a city known for dense traffic, pedestrians, and variable road conditions.

The move comes as competition in the autonomous vehicle industry accelerates. Waymo’s primary competitors, including Tesla, are expanding their robotaxi programs across the U.S. With a fleet of around 1,500 vehicles and more than 10 million rides completed in cities like San Francisco, Phoenix, and Austin, Waymo’s entry into New York City reflects its continued push to scale operations nationwide.