What to know before you ride

Waymo

Download the Waymo app. It is open to everyone in Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Metro Phoenix, Miami, Nashville, Orlando and San Francisco; Las Vegas, San Antonio, San Diego and Tampa are adding riders gradually.

Conflict on Denver: waymo.com/faq lists it among cities where anyone can ride right away, but the help centre labels Denver 'Gradually adding riders' and a 1 Sep 2026 Waymo post describes gradual access. In Austin and Atlanta, Waymo rides are booked only through the Uber app.

waymo.com · support.google.com · waymo.com · support.google.com

Tesla Robotaxi

No waitlist is mentioned: download the Robotaxi app (iOS or Android), sign in with a Tesla Account and request a ride inside a service area.

Tesla lists limited areas of Austin, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Orlando and Tampa; its Cybercab FAQ omits Orlando from the same list. Cybercab rides are in limited areas of Austin only.

tesla.com · tesla.com · tesla.com

Zoox

Las Vegas: download the Zoox app and ride. San Francisco, Austin and Miami: download the app and join the waitlist.

San Francisco waitlist members get an email survey and are admitted by location and fleet size. The app is US app stores only. Without the app, Zoox staff can set up a ride at Resorts World Las Vegas or the San Francisco Rider Lounge, 301 Sutter St.

zoox.com · zoox.com · zoox.com · zoox.com · zoox.com · zoox.com

Waymo

You must be 18 or older to use the Waymo app and ride alone.

The only exception is a teen account (see teens).

support.google.com · support.google.com · support.google.com

Tesla Robotaxi

You must be at least 18 to book a Robotaxi and to ride alone.

You can only book for yourself and must stay for the whole ride.

digitalassets.tesla.com · tesla.com

Zoox

The person hailing the ride must be 18 or older.

zoox.com · zoox.com

Waymo

Teen accounts let ages 13-17 ride alone in Metro Phoenix and Nashville when linked to a parent or guardian account; elsewhere teens need an adult with them.

Conflict: waymo.com/faq still says teen accounts are for ages 14-17 in Metro Phoenix only, while the help centre, Rider Rules, Terms, waymo.com/teens and a 22 Sep 2026 Waymo post all say 13-17 in Phoenix and Nashville. Teens can bring up to 3 guests aged 13+; a parent can link up to 5 teens; a credit card is required (no prepaid cards). Teen pages also point to Terms 'sections 27 and 28', but the teen sections in the current Terms are 28 and 29.

support.google.com · waymo.com · waymo.com · support.google.com · support.google.com · waymo.com

Tesla Robotaxi

No teen programme. Under-18s can never ride unaccompanied.

digitalassets.tesla.com · tesla.com

Zoox

No teen programme. Anyone under 18 must ride with someone over 18.

zoox.com · zoox.com

Waymo

Yes. Anyone 17 or under can ride as the guest of an adult account holder who stays for the whole trip; no minimum age is given.

Children under 8 must be in a car or booster seat in the back seat and cannot sit in the front. Family members under 18 can ride with you; other minors need a parent or guardian's consent.

waymo.com · support.google.com · support.google.com

Tesla Robotaxi

Model Y: ages 8-17 may ride with an adult; under 8 not allowed. Cybercab: ages 13-17 may ride with an adult; under 13 not allowed.

The adult must be, or have consent from, the minor's parent or guardian. You cannot choose the vehicle type; it is assigned by availability and group size.

tesla.com · tesla.com · digitalassets.tesla.com · tesla.com

Zoox

Children aged 8 and over can ride with an adult. Under-8s are not allowed in any Zoox vehicle.

The adult must be, or have consent from, the child's parent or guardian.

zoox.com · zoox.com

Waymo

Bring your own: Waymo does not provide car seats. Children under 8 need a car or booster seat installed in the back seat per the seat maker's instructions.

Rear seats have ISOFIX/LATCH and top tether anchors.

support.google.com · support.google.com · support.google.com

Tesla Robotaxi

Not provided. If state law requires a car or booster seat for your child, you must bring and install it yourself.

Cybercab has no LATCH/ISOFIX, so boosters must be secured with the seat belt.

digitalassets.tesla.com · tesla.com · tesla.com

Zoox

Not provided. Zoox recommends a booster for riders under 4 ft 9 in and a high-back booster for riders under 4 ft 1 in; you bring and fit it.

Worded as a recommendation, but the terms make you responsible for using a child restraint wherever the law requires one.

zoox.com · zoox.com · zoox.com

Waymo

Up to 4 riders. Nobody may sit in the driver's seat; the front passenger seat is open to riders aged 8 and over.

support.google.com · support.google.com · waymo.com

Tesla Robotaxi

Model Y: up to 4, but nobody may sit in the front-left (driver's) seat. Cybercab: up to 2, in either seat.

Weight limits: 800 lb for Model Y, 600 lb for Cybercab.

digitalassets.tesla.com · tesla.com · tesla.com

Zoox

Up to 4 riders. There is no driver's or front seat: the four seats face each other.

zoox.com · zoox.com · zoox.com

Waymo

The trunk holds about 200 lb: 3 small carry-ons, or 2 large checked bags (max 29 x 21.5 x 13 in), or 1 folded double stroller, or 1 folded wheelchair. Open it from the app or the button above the licence plate.

The trunk opens automatically when you get out at your destination. Large items must fit fully inside the car. No front trunk is mentioned.

support.google.com · support.google.com

Tesla Robotaxi

Use the rear trunk. Cybercab's holds up to 220 lb, for example 2 checked bags plus 2 carry-ons; Model Y's is 29 cubic feet.

Cybercab has no front trunk; open its trunk from the app, the touchscreen or the switch under the handle. Tesla does not say whether the Model Y front trunk can be used.

tesla.com · tesla.com · tesla.com

Zoox

There is no trunk. Luggage goes on the cabin floor, with room for at least one piece per rider.

Do not stack bags, and keep everything no higher than 28 inches from the floor. Small items can go on empty seats.

zoox.com · zoox.com

Waymo

No pets, and no emotional-support or therapy animals. Trained service animals that fit in the car are always welcome, with no advance notice or paperwork.

Support may ask whether the animal is required because of a disability and what task it performs. You must clean up after a service animal or a cleaning fee may apply.

support.google.com · support.google.com · support.google.com

Tesla Robotaxi

No pets. Small service animals may ride with disabled riders, with no ID or proof required.

Tesla asks that the animal be secured with a leash, harness or carrier. No fee for hair or shedding, but damage or mess can be charged.

digitalassets.tesla.com · tesla.com

Zoox

No pets or emotional-support animals. Trained service dogs are welcome and should stay on the floor.

The FAQ says 'service dogs'; the terms say 'service animal'. Zoox suggests a dog seatbelt attachment as an alternative.

zoox.com · zoox.com

Waymo

Wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available but are human-driven, not autonomous. In San Francisco and Los Angeles turn on 'Wheelchair-accessible vehicle' under Account > Accessibility and request in the app.

Phoenix: call Support (phone icon under Account > Accessibility) and they order one. Las Vegas: Waymo lists local cab companies to call. Austin: Uber WAV, not autonomous. No WAV instructions are given for other cities. Riders must be 18+. A folded wheelchair fits in the regular car's trunk.

support.google.com · support.google.com · support.google.com · support.google.com

Tesla Robotaxi

No wheelchair-accessible Robotaxi yet. The app's home screen points you to local WAV providers in each city instead.

Some folded wheelchairs fit in the trunk (Cybercab: one small folded wheelchair). Tesla says accessible options for the fleet are in development.

tesla.com · tesla.com · tesla.com

Zoox

We could not find this on the company's pages.

Zoox's FAQ, terms and rider manual say nothing about wheelchair access, wheelchair storage or an accessible-vehicle option.

Waymo

24 hours a day, 7 days a week in every Waymo app service area.

Service can pause for severe weather, safety or technical reasons.

support.google.com · support.google.com

Tesla Robotaxi

Not 24/7. Reported hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily in all six cities, with Austin extended to 11 p.m. in early October 2026.

Tesla's own FAQ only says hours vary by area and that you cannot request a ride outside them. The times come from reports of posts by Tesla's Robotaxi account on X (26 Aug and 2 Oct 2026).

tesla.com · driveteslacanada.ca · notateslaapp.com · teslarati.com

Zoox

Las Vegas: 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Hours for San Francisco and other cities are not stated.

zoox.com

Waymo

Waymo lists four airports: Phoenix (PHX), San Jose (SJC), San Antonio (SAT) and, for a limited set of riders, San Francisco (SFO).

PHX: Terminals 3 and 4, Level 1 outer curb, South Door 8, plus the 24th St and 44th St Sky Train stations. SJC: Terminal A pickup at Stop 9, Terminal B pickup outside the Rental Car Center, dropoff curbside at Departures for both. SAT: Terminals A and B curbside at Departures, plus Arrivals outer curb near Rideshare Zone 2. SFO: Rental Car Center or outside the Grand Hyatt (both reached by AirTrain), no terminal curb. Waymo posts say Dallas Love Field and Nashville BNA are still in testing. An airport access fee can be added to the fare.

support.google.com · support.google.com · waymo.com · waymo.com

Tesla Robotaxi

Tesla does not list any airports or pickup points. Check whether the app accepts the airport as a destination before relying on it.

Tesla's terms only say fares may include airport fees. Reports disagree: EVANNEX (Jun 2026) says the Austin zone now covers routes to Austin-Bergstrom, while a RideWise guide (Jul 2026) says Tesla holds no autonomous airport authorisation and that airport has issued no AV permit.

tesla.com · tesla.com · evannex.com · getridewise.com

Zoox

Las Vegas Harry Reid (LAS) only. Pickup is at Terminal 1 Level 0 (follow signs for E Gates) or Terminal 3 Level 0 outside Door 55, at the signed Zoox Pickup Zone.

Dropoff: Terminal 1 at the Departures/Ticketing level; Terminal 3 at Level 0. Pick your airline in the app when booking. News reports from August 2026 said airport rides had not started yet and that a destination fee may apply, so confirm in the app.

zoox.com · zoox.com · govtech.com

Waymo

Sometimes. Freeway routes are being rolled out gradually and only to some riders; join the freeway interest list in the app to get access.

Waymo's posts name the San Francisco Bay Area, Phoenix and Los Angeles (Nov 2025) and say highway trips were starting in Miami (Apr 2026). Having access does not guarantee a freeway route.

support.google.com · waymo.com · waymo.com · waymo.com

Tesla Robotaxi

Possibly in Austin: a June 2026 report says the service area there includes major stretches of I-35. Tesla's rider pages do not say whether rides use highways.

Tesla's Cybercab FAQ says the vehicle can handle highways but gives no routing policy. Late-2025 reporting said Austin highway rides ran with a Tesla employee in the driver's seat.

evannex.com · notateslaapp.com · tesla.com

Zoox

No. Zoox still describes freeway operations as something for the future.

From a 1 Sep 2026 Zoox post about San Diego testing; no rider page mentions freeway routes.

zoox.com

Waymo

Yes. A trip can have up to 4 stops including the final destination, and you can add, remove or reorder stops or change the destination in the app after requesting.

You get about 5 minutes at each stop and someone must stay in the car, or the trip ends. Each stop adds a small fee and the fare updates.

support.google.com · support.google.com · support.google.com

Tesla Robotaxi

No extra stops. You can change the destination mid-ride: tap the destination in the app, then Edit.

tesla.com

Zoox

We could not find this on the company's pages.

No page explains multi-stop trips or how to change destination. The terms only note that the fare can depend on new destinations added during a ride.

zoox.com

Waymo

The car usually waits 5 minutes (less in busy spots) with a countdown in the app; miss it and the ride cancels and you may be charged a no-show fee. Cancelling once the car is on its way may also cost a fee.

Waymo does not publish the fee amounts. Waymo Premier members get up to 5 cancellation fees waived per month.

support.google.com · support.google.com · support.google.com · support.google.com · support.google.com

Tesla Robotaxi

The car waits 7 minutes at pickup, then the ride may be cancelled. Cancel yourself with 'Cancel Ride' in the app or on the touchscreen.

Tesla's pages differ on fees: the main Robotaxi FAQ says only that the ride may be cancelled, while the Cybercab FAQ says "fees may incur or your ride may be canceled". No fee amount is published anywhere.

tesla.com · tesla.com

Zoox

Zoox's terms allow cancellation fees, but no amount or pickup wait time is published.

zoox.com

Waymo

No tipping. Waymo's help centre, Rider Rules and Terms do not mention tips at all.

The only statement found is a Waymo quote in an April 2025 WSB-TV report: "Fully autonomous rides with Waymo don't require tipping."

wsbtv.com

Tesla Robotaxi

No tipping. Tesla's pages do not mention tips; reporting from the 2025 launch says the app's tip prompt is a joke that takes no money.

That report (June 2025) says choosing a tip amount just shows a 'Just Kidding' screen.

govtech.com

Zoox

We could not find this on the company's pages.

Zoox's FAQ and terms do not mention tips or gratuities.

Waymo

No smoking, vaping, drugs or alcohol in the car, even where local law allows it. Eating and non-alcoholic drinks are not addressed, but messes are charged.

Cleaning fees: $50 if you report your own mess during the ride, $100 for a first unreported mess or smoking violation, more for repeats.

support.google.com · support.google.com

Tesla Robotaxi

No smoking, vaping, alcohol, drugs or open containers, whatever local law says. Food is not banned, but spills are charged.

Cleaning fees: $50 for moderate messes such as food spills, $150 for severe ones such as biowaste or smoking.

digitalassets.tesla.com · tesla.com

Zoox

Food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed. No smoking, vaping or drugs.

The terms word the alcohol rule as no unlawful possession or consumption. Cleaning fees apply if the vehicle is left dirty.

zoox.com · zoox.com

Waymo

Apple Pay, Google Pay, major credit cards and debit cards, plus prepaid Waymo Cash and gift cards. Waymo Premier is an invite-only membership at $29.99 a month.

Premier gives priority pickups, 10% Waymo Cash back, up to 5 free cancellations a month and early access to new cities. A payment method must be on file before the first ride.

support.google.com · support.google.com · support.google.com

Tesla Robotaxi

Rides are charged in the Robotaxi app to the payment method on your Tesla Account. Tesla does not list accepted methods, and no membership is offered.

Reporting (not Tesla's site): Apple Pay and Google Pay support was found in app code in April 2026. Fares can include tolls, airport fees and taxes.

tesla.com · tesla.com · driveteslacanada.ca

Zoox

You add a payment method in the Zoox app, but Zoox does not list which cards or wallets it accepts. No membership is offered.

San Francisco preview rides are free. Reporting (not Zoox's site): Las Vegas rides have been paid since 10 Aug 2026, priced as base fare plus time and distance and shown before booking.

zoox.com · zoox.com · zoox.com · amp.insurancejournal.com · casinos.com

Waymo

Yes, 'Refer & earn'. The new rider gets a discount on their first ride; the referrer gets a reward on their next ride once the friend completes a first ride.

Amounts are shown only in the app. Limits: 10 codes a month, referrer must have taken at least 3 rides, rewards last 60 days, US rides only, no cash value.

support.google.com · support.google.com

Tesla Robotaxi

No official refer-a-friend programme for rides has been announced. A 'Refer and Earn' feature was reported in app code in September 2026 but is not live.

No reward values or limits are known. Tesla's rider pages and terms do not mention referrals.

driveteslacanada.ca

Zoox

We could not find this on the company's pages.

The terms cover promotions in general but describe no refer-a-friend programme.

zoox.com

Waymo

Tap Support on the in-car screen, or in the app go to Help > Get help > Call. Support runs 24/7 by phone, chat and email.

English only. Support can also call into the car. Lost items: 1 (844) 261-3753 or the app; found items are kept 7 days.

support.google.com · support.google.com · support.google.com

Tesla Robotaxi

Tap Support on the touchscreen or in the app and an agent talks to you through the cabin speakers. You can also call (877) 798-3752, option 7.

'Pull Over' on the screen or app stops the car at the nearest safe spot and triggers a call from support. Lost items are reported from Ride History in the app and kept 10 days.

tesla.com · tesla.com

Zoox

Press Help in the app or on the touchscreen at your seat, press the overhead Emergency Call Button, or call or text 1-888-477-5055.

Support can pull the vehicle over for you. Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies.

zoox.com · zoox.com