Waymo’s DC Rollout Stuck in ‘Regulatory Limbo’

Waymo’s planned rollout in Washington, D.C. is hitting some snags, leaving the robotaxi company with no set debut date in the nation’s capital. 

As Aarian Marshall explains in Wired, “The legal logjam is a highly visible test for a company—and industry—that’s hoping to expand quickly across the US and, to some extent, the world.” The District does not have existing regulations governing autonomous cars, unlike other markets where Waymo has launched, though it does allow for robotaxi testing with a human safety driver.

D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen, who chairs the DC City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Environment, says the council is waiting to pass legislation until it receives an anticipated report from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) on the safety and necessary regulations for AVs.