NY Governor Wants to Allow Robotaxis Statewide — Except in NYC

Gov. Hochul will introduce legislation to set up a framework for deploying autonomous cars in one of the nation’s most restrictive markets.

1 minute read

January 15, 2026, 6:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


White Waymo Jaguar car in New York City.

quiggyt4 / Shutterstock

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans to create a regulatory framework for autonomous taxis in areas of the state outside of New York City. 

As Maya Perez explains in an article for WebProNews, “The legislation, set to be introduced in the coming weeks, would enable limited pilots in smaller cities and rural areas, with the possibility of scaling up to full commercial operations.” New York City is excluded because of its “unique challenges, including heavy traffic, pedestrian volumes, and intricate infrastructure.” 

“Industry experts view this as a significant step forward for autonomous vehicle adoption in one of the country’s most restrictive jurisdictions.” The shift is in line with emerging federal guidelines that could preempt state regulations.

Acording to Perez, “Implementation timelines suggest pilots could launch by mid-2026, pending legislative approval. Companies must submit detailed safety plans, including emergency protocols and human override mechanisms for initial phases.”

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 in WebProNews

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