Waymo's Self-Driving Cars Hit With $65,000 in Parking Fines

Waymo robotaxis received over 600 citations in San Francisco last year. Learn what caused the fines and how the company is responding.

Waymo’s driverless taxis have been fined over $65,000 in San Francisco last year, revealing the ongoing challenges of integrating autonomous vehicles into complex urban environments. Alphabet’s fleet of self-driving Jaguar I-Pace EVs received more than 600 citations for parking violations, including obstructing traffic and street cleaning violations.

According to The Washington Post, Waymo racked up 589 parking tickets and 124 citations for obstructing traffic in San Francisco. An additional 75 tickets were issued in Los Angeles, with $543 in fines still outstanding.

The infractions ranged from parking in street cleaning zones and commercial loading areas to stopping in prohibited spots. In one case, a San Francisco parking control officer reported honking at a stationary Waymo vehicle during street cleaning hours. When the car failed to respond, he issued a $96 ticket.

Waymo claims it pays all fines and is actively upgrading its systems to avoid future violations. According to company spokesperson Ethan Teicher, the robotaxis can detect traffic obstruction and recognize legal parking zones, though they may temporarily stop in commercial areas when necessary to drop off passengers or wait between rides if a designated lot is not nearby.

Following the shutdown of GM’s Cruise robotaxi program, Waymo has become the dominant player in the U.S. autonomous ride-hailing sector. Earlier this year, the company reported reaching 200,000 paid rides per week—twice as many as the previous year.

While the milestones are notable, the rising number of infractions highlights the persistent gap between technological capability and seamless real-world execution. Urban mobility powered by AI is progressing, but the road to full autonomy is far from smooth.

Source: insideevs.com