Records show that autonomous ride-hailing service provider Waymo has accumulated more than $9,000 in fines for parking violations by its driverless taxis operating in Austin, Texas.

Austin is one of the emerging markets for autonomous taxi services. Waymo has deployed over 300 driverless vehicles in the city, accounting for nearly half of its Texas fleet.

The records indicate that Waymo vehicles have received a total of 83 parking citations. The company has paid $7,433, with approximately $1,892 still outstanding as of July 15. The fines range from $20 to $519. The largest single ticket, issued in September 2024, was for parking in a disabled-access space.

Of the total citations, 64 involved parking in a tow-away zone, 13 were for unpaid meter fees, and nine were for double-parking. In addition to the tickets, local police and residents have frequently reported Waymo vehicles blocking traffic, obstructing railway crossings, and impeding public access.

In January 2025, a Waymo vehicle stopped in a busy area of northern Austin, partially blocking a railway crossing, and was eventually towed away. In another incident, a vehicle waited outside an elementary school while parked in a disabled-access space. In April 2025, a Waymo vehicle sat at the entrance of a parking lot for over five minutes during Sunday church services, blocking vehicle entry and exit.

Local parking enforcement issues civil citations to the specific vehicle rather than to a driver. Citizens can report autonomous taxi parking violations through a public database. Waymo stated that it reviews all tickets received and may contest them in court if it believes the citation is incorrect. In 2024 and 2025, one obstructing-traffic ticket each year was resolved through negotiation and dismissed. A company spokesperson said the firm "does not expect special treatment" regarding fines.

On July 8, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sent a letter urging autonomous driving developers to ensure their vehicles can better follow on-site instructions from emergency personnel. The agency noted that part of the problem is that driverless taxis often fail to identify where they can stop without blocking traffic. Waymo maintains that its vehicles are statistically safer than human drivers.