Florida robotaxi rules
A single line in Florida's statute settles the main question. A fully autonomous vehicle may operate "regardless of whether a human operator is physically present in the vehicle." The law describes no separate state robotaxi permit.
Updated . By the Robotaxi Atlas desk.
The law in brief
Section 316.85 of the Florida Statutes governs autonomous vehicle operation. For riders, it means nobody has to sit in the driver's seat. This summary comes from the statute text on the Florida Senate site, a primary source.
Three cities, two big operators
Public robotaxi rides opened in three Florida cities between January and July 2026. Waymo took its first public riders in Miami on Jan 22, 2026. On Apr 15, 2026 it opened to everyone in Miami and Orlando, the same day it began rolling out highway trips in Miami to select riders. In Tampa, Waymo invited riders in batches from Sep 1, 2026 and opened to everyone on Oct 14, 2026.
Tesla Robotaxi launched in Miami on Jul 3, 2026, then in Orlando and Tampa on Jul 21, 2026. Its rides in all three cities are treated as driverless here, though Tesla has not said whether every Miami car is unsupervised.
Zoox carries employees, family and friends in Miami. Public waitlist riders are due to follow.
Airports
Waymo has announced plans for Miami International but has not started service there. Neither Waymo nor Tesla serves Orlando International.
Questions people ask
Is it legal to run a driverless taxi in Florida?
Florida statute 316.85 allows a fully autonomous vehicle to operate whether or not a human operator is physically present, so a driverless taxi is legal.
Which Florida cities have robotaxis?
Robotaxis run in Miami, Orlando and Tampa. Waymo and Tesla Robotaxi operate in all three, and both are open to anyone with their apps.
Does Waymo go to Miami International Airport?
Waymo has announced service at Miami International Airport but has not started it.