New York Governor Moves to Legalize Robotaxis Outside NYC
Governor Hochul’s plan could reshape autonomous transportation across the state
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is preparing legislation that would legalize robotaxis across much of the state—though New York City itself would remain off-limits.
During her State of the State address on Tuesday, Hochul described the legislation as the next step in expanding New York’s autonomous vehicle (AV) pilot program.
Details remain scarce, but a document summarizing Hochul’s proposals provides some insight. It suggests the state would permit “the limited deployment of commercial for-hire autonomous passenger vehicles outside New York City.” Companies aiming to operate robotaxi services would be required to submit applications demonstrating “local support for AV deployment and adherence to the highest possible safety standards.”
The document, however, does not define what “limited deployment” or “highest possible safety standards” entail. Nor does it specify how safety records would be evaluated, although oversight would involve multiple state agencies, including the Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Transportation, and New York State Police.
The governor’s office confirmed to TechCrunch that more information will be included in the executive budget proposal, scheduled for release on January 20.
Industry Reacts Positively
The announcement has been welcomed by Alphabet-owned Waymo, which has long sought to expand in New York.
“Governor Hochul’s proposal to legalize fully autonomous vehicles is a transformative moment for New York’s transportation system,” said Justin Kintz, Waymo’s head of global public policy, in an emailed statement.
He added, “With the Governor’s leadership, New York has the opportunity to pair its investments in slower speeds, better traffic enforcement, and first-in-the-nation congestion management strategies with Waymo’s demonstrably safe technology, creating a future where living in New York is safer, easier, and more accessible. We’re ready to work with leaders around the state to make this future a reality, and bring new infrastructure, career opportunities, and investment to the Empire State.”
Regulatory Hurdles Remain
Despite the governor’s push, significant obstacles remain, particularly in New York City. Current state law requires drivers to keep one hand on the wheel at all times, complicating robotaxi operations that rely on fully autonomous systems.
The state’s AV pilot program has provided exemptions, allowing companies to test autonomous vehicles without a human driver. But entering New York City’s dense streets has proven difficult. Last August, city regulators issued Waymo a permit to test up to eight Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn, each with a human safety operator behind the wheel. The permit has been extended until March 31, but the vehicles cannot carry passengers or operate commercially without additional city licenses from the Taxi and Limousine Commission.
While legislation was introduced last year to create a framework for driverless operations, it has stalled in the state Senate’s transportation committee. Hochul’s proposal could help break through that bottleneck, opening the door for more widespread autonomous vehicle deployment outside the city.
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