Waymo granted permit to start testing autonomous driving in NYC

On the Dash:

• Waymo received its first permit to operate up to eight vehicles in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn, marking the city’s first AV testing program.
• A driver must remain behind the wheel, and Waymo is required to report data to the DOT and coordinate with law enforcement and emergency services.
• This rollout complements Waymo’s broader growth across major U.S. cities, building on past trials and its milestone of over 10 million robotaxi trips.

According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, on Friday, he announced that Waymo, the Alphabet autonomous vehicle subsidiary, received a permit from the New York Department of Transportation to begin testing in New York City. This marks the city’s first autonomous vehicle testing launch. 

Waymo will start testing up to eight vehicles in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn through late September, with the potential to extend the program. However, due to New York State Law, drivers must remain behind the wheel. 

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In a release, Adams emphasized the city’s support for tech innovation to improve mobility safety. Yet, two months ago, the company assured it filed permits to test the cars with trained specialists behind the wheel.

The NYC program is part of Waymo’s broader national expansion. The company launched services in Austin this year and expanded its San Francisco area operations in March. Waymo also plans to bring self-driving vehicles to Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, D.C., and recently said it will start operations in Philadelphia as it looks to break further into the Northeast market. 

As of May 2025, Waymo’s CEO said the company has surpassed 10 million robotaxi trips. 

Safety and oversight are central to the city’s program. Waymo must regularly submit data to the DOT and work closely with law enforcement and emergency services, which remains in line with safety requirements established by the Adams administration. 

The launch further represents a key milestone for both Waymo and New York City, as the company works to bring self-driving technology to one of the nation’s most complex urban environments. Success in the program could accelerate Waymo’s adoption of autonomous vehicles in other major U.S. cities.