New York State is moving closer to legalising commercial robotaxi services, though the plan notably excludes New York City, the state’s largest and most complex transport market. Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday that she intends to introduce legislation aimed at expanding the state’s autonomous vehicle programme, a move she said would mark the next phase of New York’s approach to self driving technology.
Speaking during her State of the State address, Hochul said the proposed law would build on the existing autonomous vehicle pilot scheme. While details remain limited, an accompanying policy document indicates that the state plans to allow the restricted commercial deployment of autonomous passenger vehicles for hire, but only outside New York City. Companies seeking approval would be required to demonstrate local community support and meet what the state described as the highest possible safety standards.
The proposal, however, leaves several key questions unanswered, including how the state will define limited deployment and how safety performance will be assessed. The document suggests that oversight will involve multiple agencies, including the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Transportation and the New York State Police. The governor’s office said further clarity would be provided in the executive budget proposal scheduled for release on January 20.
The announcement was enough to draw a positive response from Waymo, the autonomous driving unit owned by Alphabet, which has long sought broader access to New York. Waymo’s head of global public policy, Justin Kintz, described the proposal as a transformative moment for the state’s transport system, arguing that autonomous vehicles could complement New York’s congestion management efforts and improve road safety and accessibility.
Waymo and other robotaxi operators have faced longstanding legal barriers in New York, particularly a state law requiring drivers to keep one hand on the steering wheel at all times. Although the state’s pilot programme offers exemptions for testing, significant obstacles remain, especially in New York City. While Waymo has received a limited permit to test a small fleet with human safety drivers in parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn, it is still barred from carrying passengers or operating a commercial service, underscoring the regulatory hurdles the governor’s proposal is now seeking to ease.