Waymo has introduced teen accounts in Metro Phoenix, allowing riders aged 14 to 17 to request autonomous rides independently while maintaining parental oversight, the Alphabet-owned self-driving company announced. The move is part of Waymo’s broader effort to grow its user base and normalize autonomous vehicle (AV) usage for future generations.
Parents in the Phoenix area can now link a teen profile to their Waymo One accounts. Once connected, teens can hail robotaxi rides and share trip status and location with their guardians in real time. The program mirrors offerings from traditional ride-hailing firms like Uber, which also provide teen account options in select cities.
Waymo stated that the new feature could appeal to families concerned about putting minors alone in vehicles with human drivers. In contrast, the AV model removes direct adult supervision from the ride, which may reduce risks such as those linked to misconduct by ride-hail drivers. In some states, like California, stricter regulations require fingerprinting and background checks for drivers transporting children — requirements that AVs may sidestep entirely.
The company said safety remains a top priority, with specially trained support agents available 24/7 to assist teen riders. These agents can also coordinate with parents if needed during a trip. In a press release, Waymo highlighted that giving teens access to self-driving rides may help mitigate the risk of road accidents, which statistically affects younger drivers more than older age groups.
While the program has launched exclusively in Phoenix, Waymo said it plans to expand teen accounts to other U.S. cities where its services operate, excluding California. The company currently offers robotaxi services in cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, and Atlanta through both its app and partnerships with ride-hail platforms like Uber. Miami and Washington, D.C., are expected to be added by 2026.
Waymo also indicated it may eventually enable teen access through “network partners” such as Uber, as it continues to test different pathways for making autonomous rides more accessible across various age groups.