Lit clusters: US cities with public driverless rides. Rings: testing or announced.
Can I ride a robotaxi in Washington, DC?
Waymo and Zoox are testing here (since Mar 25, 2025), with no public rides.
- Status
- Testing
- Operators
- Waymo, Zoox
- Last checked
What's happening in Washington, DC
Waymo set a 2026 target for the District on Mar 25, 2025, TechCrunch reported, saying rides would come through the Waymo One app. That target has slipped. Waymo's cars have tested in DC with specialists, and Axios D.C. reported on Aug 6, 2026 that Waymo had added a third DC site while awaiting approval.
Approval sits with the DC Council. A pending bill would allow robotaxis with a proposed 200-vehicle cap. Axios D.C. reported that a final vote could come in fall or winter 2026 and that service under the bill would not begin until 2028. Both points come from that single outlet, and no vote had been reported as of Oct 13, 2026. See the DC rules page.
Zoox has been here too. Electrek reported DC as one of Zoox's earlier testing expansions, around Sept 2025, with no riders. Neither company carries the public. The closest cities with public rides are Atlanta and Nashville, while Baltimore, next door, is testing only.
Rules that apply here
- District of Columbia rules: A pending DC Council bill would allow robotaxis with a proposed 200-vehicle cap. A final vote could come in fall or winter 2026, and service would not begin until 2028. (reported)
Timeline
Washington, DC robotaxi questions
When will Waymo launch in Washington, DC?
Waymo has no confirmed DC launch date. Under a pending DC Council bill, service would not begin until 2028, Axios D.C. reported.
What is the DC robotaxi bill?
A pending DC Council bill would allow robotaxis with a proposed 200-vehicle cap. No vote had been reported as of Oct 13, 2026.
Didn't Waymo say it would launch in DC in 2026?
Waymo announced a 2026 DC target in March 2025, as TechCrunch reported, but that target has slipped.
Is Zoox in Washington, DC?
Electrek reported DC as an earlier Zoox testing city. Zoox has no riders in DC.
Sources
- Waymo: Waymo Updates
- TechCrunch: Waymo to launch robotaxi service in Washington, D.C. in 2026, Mar 25, 2025
- Axios D.C.: Waymo adds third D.C. site while awaiting robotaxi approval, Aug 6, 2026
- Electrek: Zoox expands robotaxi testing to Phoenix and Dallas as autonomous miles surpass 1 million, Mar 9, 2026
"Reported" means one news report that the operator or a regulator hasn't confirmed yet.
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