Waymo Deploys Mid-Ride Checks to Enforce Age Restrictions on Autonomous Vehicles
New protocols involve support agent calls and camera monitoring but explicitly exclude biometric identification as California regulators consider changes to solo-riding laws.
Waymo has confirmed it is actively refining its operational systems to detect and penalise parents who use adult accounts to transport unaccompanied minors in autonomous vehicles outside the metro Phoenix, Arizona area. This initiative follows reports of new mid-ride age-verification checks being deployed to enforce compliance with terms of service that prohibit children under 18 from riding alone in California. Violations of these restrictions can lead to temporary or permanent suspension of the user's account.
To identify potential breaches, Waymo support agents are initiating mid-ride calls to verify the age of riders who appear young. This practice has begun affecting adult passengers as well as suspected minors, with some individuals reporting they were flagged due to youthful appearance or carrying items like backpacks. While the company states it uses in-car cameras to monitor compliance and may review recorded video or access live feeds during urgent circumstances, it explicitly confirms it does not utilise facial recognition or other biometric identification technologies to identify individuals.
This development follows a formal complaint filed by California labour groups, including the California Gig Workers Union, regarding the transport of unaccompanied minors. The complaint alleges that Waymo is violating the terms of its permit to operate in the state by knowingly transporting minors without supervision. The matter has been assigned to a judge as the state evaluates new regulations that could potentially allow solo riders under 18 in driverless cars, mirroring existing rules for ride-hail services with human drivers.
In the Phoenix market specifically, Waymo has allowed parents to set up specific teen accounts for riders aged 14 to 17, enabling adults to track their real-time locations. Hundreds of families in the area reportedly use this service weekly. However, in other US markets, adults are permitted to ride with guests under 18, provided children under 8 are secured in a car seat or booster seat. The company maintains that a specially trained team of support agents deals with any issues arising from these teen riders.
Parents have cited various reasons for utilising the service to transport children, including bypassing school bus eligibility issues, managing multiple children attending different schools, or avoiding public transit discomfort. Some families have noted that the lack of a human driver makes them feel safer. Despite these practical benefits, the cost remains a factor, as Waymo rides are on average 13 per cent more expensive than Uber, according to a January analysis.
While the company describes its processes as continuing to refine over time for accuracy, the specific accuracy rate of the new age-verification system remains unquantified. It is also unclear how frequently the new mid-ride verification checks will be triggered for adult riders versus suspected minors. As California considers altering current rules, the outcome of the ongoing legal complaint and the final scope of new regulations remain pending.
