Waymo confirmed it is intensifying efforts to prevent unaccompanied minors from riding alone in its driverless vehicles as of early May 2026. The company introduced mid-ride age verification checks to catch anyone under 18 attempting to ride solo, particularly outside its metro Phoenix, Arizona service area where solo riding is allowed only for adults 18 and over [1].
California law prohibits autonomous vehicles from carrying unaccompanied minors. Despite this, some parents have used their own Waymo accounts to send children alone to school or activities, violating the rules [1]. Waymo warns that violations of its terms of service, including underage solo riding, can lead to account suspension or permanent bans [1].
Waymo employs interior cameras during trips and may review video footage to enforce rider age rules but does not use facial recognition or biometric scans, the company said. Support agents have begun contacting riders mid-trip for age verification if system flags suggest the rider might be underage. For example, adult rider Nicholas Fleischhauer described being questioned during a ride in early May because he "had messy and wet hair and a backpack on me," and people have told him he "looks young for my age" [1].
"We are continuing to refine our system and processes for accuracy over time," Waymo spokesperson Chris Bonelli said [1].
About a month before May 5, California labor groups filed a formal complaint alleging Waymo knowingly transports unaccompanied minors in violation of local laws. A judge has now been assigned to the case as regulatory review of the issue continues [1].
Waymo’s current minimum age for solo riders is 18. The company is balancing safety, compliance, and customer experience as it enforces these rules more rigorously.
The regulatory complaint and court assignment mark a key development in oversight of autonomous vehicle operations. Meanwhile, Waymo's expanded mid-ride verification measures are active as of early May 2026 [1].
