Driverless taxis from autonomous vehicle company Waymo are expected to launch in the nation’s capital in 2026.
The District of Columbia Department of Transportation anticipates that Washington, D.C., could see a large increase in vehicle travel and Metro transit riders over the next several decades. DCST expects Metro ridership to fluctuate by neighborhood, with some areas turning to taxis.
“We’re excited to bring the comfort, consistency, and safety of Waymo One to Washingtonians, those who work and play in the city every day, and the millions of people from around the world who travel to the District every year,” Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said.
While the Waymo One app won’t be available for another year, Waymo taxis have sent test drivers to Washington, D.C., to map out the city. The company claims to be in contact with “D.C.’s communities and emergency responders” as it prepares to launch.
“DDOT is actively developing a permitting framework to support the safe and responsible testing of autonomous vehicles in Washington, DC,” a District Department of Transportation spokesperson told the Washington Examiner. “DDOT is engaged in an iterative rule making process with our agency partners, including the Department of For-Hire Vehicles, to refine our approach based on public input, emerging best practices, and lessons learned from peer jurisdictions.”
The spokesperson added, “Our priority remains ensuring that any company operating in the District—such as Waymo—does so in a manner that prioritizes safety, aligns with our regulatory framework, and integrates seamlessly into DC’s unique transportation ecosystem.”
Waymo reported 4 million fully autonomous rides last year, quadrupling its total before 2024. Driverless taxis now operate in Austin, Texas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Phoenix. The company is averaging 200,000 rides a week this year, up from last year.
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Atlanta and Miami will first receive driverless taxis in 2026.
Waymo first began operations in 2018 under its parent company, Alphabet Inc.
