D.C. lawmakers are advancing a bill that would let driverless cars carry paying passengers in the city.
Why it matters: The measure would set one of the clearest tests yet for robotaxi regulation in a major U.S. city. It could shape safety rules, liability and how quickly autonomous vehicles commercialize in dense urban markets.
- The D.C. Council is considering the Autonomous Vehicle Deployment Authorization Amendment Act of 2026, introduced May 1, 2026.
- The bill would allow driverless vehicles to pick up paying passengers, moving beyond the District's current rule that self-driving cars may operate only with a human behind the wheel.
- At a July 13 hearing, Councilmember Charles Allen said the bill is aimed at safety, congestion and worker displacement.
- The proposal includes vehicle-miles-traveled fees and permitting fees, with revenue directed to Metro transit and a fund for displaced drivers.
Washington, D.C. is moving toward a framework that could let autonomous vehicles carry paying passengers, with Waymo positioned to benefit if the bill advances.
The legislation, the Autonomous Vehicle Deployment Authorization Amendment Act of 2026, would move the District beyond its current rule that self-driving cars may operate only with a person behind the wheel. The introduced bill text also calls for backup systems for power outages, first-responder training and a rule making the automated driving system's manufacturer responsible as the operator in crashes. The introduced bill text lays out those provisions.
At a July 13 hearing, Councilmember Charles Allen said the proposal is meant to address safety, congestion and worker displacement. He also said, "What we do will set precedent for a lot of other cities."
Waymo has already said it wants to enter Washington. The company announced in March 2025 that Waymo One would come to Washington, D.C. in 2026 pending regulatory approval. In July, The Washington Post reported that Waymo had logged more than 300,000 miles in the District, citing the company. Matthew Walsh, Waymo's head of state and local public policy for the eastern United States, said the company is committed to creating local jobs if legislation passes.
The District is also testing its AV oversight tools. On June 4, DDOT launched an Autonomous Vehicle Observation Zone Challenge to find sensing technology that can detect and analyze AVs operating in the city, with a pilot planned for two intersections along the M Street SE/SW corridor for three to six months.
Allen said the best-case timeline would put the law's effective date in spring and actual deployment no earlier than January 1, 2028.
By the numbers
- 300,000 miles - Waymo mileage in the District, reported by The Washington Post in July and attributed to the company.
- 250,000 miles - threshold Allen cited in the debate for the scale of driving he wanted to see before broad deployment.
- January 1, 2028 - earliest date Allen said actual deployment could begin under the best-case timeline.
Yes, but: The bill is still a proposal, and even supporters say deployment would not happen immediately. Allen said the earliest actual service could come no earlier than January 1, 2028.
What's next: The Council must still advance the bill, and Allen said the law's effective date could come in spring if it moves forward.