Waymo begins offering teen transportation services in metro Phoenix

PHOENIX — If you’re frequently on the metro Phoenix roads, odds are you’ve become familiar with driving next to unmanned Waymo vehicles in recent years.

That service is expanding with a Waymo teen program that kicked off on Tuesday in Phoenix.

The program gives teens ages 14 to 17 access to the automated robotaxi service, which operates across 315 square miles of the Valley. They can access the service once their account is linked with a parent or guardian’s account.

Waymo agents specifically trained for the program can help teens through their trips and will loop parents in when needed. Parents will have access to real-time updates and receipts for all rides.

What do parents, experts say about Waymo teen program?

Access to the program was recently test-driven in Phoenix — where the service first launched — so Waymo could gather feedback. Early reviews highlighted convenience and peace of mind.

“I’m a single mom — my husband passed away — so it’s like all me. I think of Waymo as my partner to help get everyone where they need to go,” Phoenix parent Kseniya Schminke said in the announcement.

“With Waymo teen accounts, it’s been a really great experience to give her some autonomy and not be so dependent on family members to drive my teen around,” Chandler parent Crystal Whitlatch added.

Not only does the service provide rides for teens too young to drive, but it also offers a safer alternative for those who are old enough — or who don’t have access to a vehicle. Teen drivers have a fatal crash rate roughly three times that of older drivers, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Waymo vehicles have seen reductions in serious injury crashes (88%) and injury-causing crashes (78%) when comparing the same time frame to average human driver numbers, per Waymo data that runs through March 2025.

“Waymo’s launch of its teen accounts this summer in Phoenix represents a significant and innovative step toward protecting one of our most vulnerable populations on the road,” Scott Myers, executive director of nonprofit organization Students Against Destructive Decisions, said. “Teen drivers face the highest risk of traffic crashes, often due to preventable human errors such as distraction and drowsy driving.

“By leveraging advanced technology to directly address these dangers, Waymo is creating a safer path for teens to gain independence while giving parents and caregivers greater peace of mind.”

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