Waymo's driverless taxis have racked up more than $9,300 in parking tickets since launching in Austin in 2024, according to city records obtained by The Wall Street Journal.
The 83 citations highlight a persistent challenge for autonomous vehicles: parking. While robotaxis may be safer on the road, they struggle with curbside rules.
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Majority of Tickets for Tow-Away Zone Violations
Of the 83 citations, 64 were issued for parking in tow-away zones. Another 13 were for unpaid meters, and nine for double parking.
The largest single fine, $519, came on September 11, 2024, when a Waymo Jaguar I-Pace parked in a space reserved for disabled drivers.
Waymo has already paid $7,433 of the fines, with $1,892 still outstanding as of July 15.
Austin issues parking tickets to vehicles, not drivers, making Waymo responsible like any registered owner.
“We do not expect different treatment [in regard] to ticketing,” a Waymo spokesperson said.
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Some incidents went beyond routine enforcement. Police had a Waymo towed after it partially blocked an active railroad crossing in January 2025.
Another robotaxi waited for a passenger in a disabled parking spot outside an elementary school.
Residents have also complained.
One Waymo allegedly sat outside a church parking garage for over five minutes during Sunday services, blocking traffic.
Waymo says it tries to park in legal spaces when not in use, but the taxis sometimes pick the wrong spot.
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For now, the company continues to pay the fines as they come in.
