Tennessee robotaxi rules
Tennessee settled its approach early. A law enacted on Jun 6, 2017 lets vehicles driven by an automated driving system operate with no driver present, and cities and counties cannot prohibit them.
Updated . By the Robotaxi Atlas desk.
What TCA 55-30 says
Title 55, Chapter 30 of the Tennessee Code allows a vehicle to operate "without a driver present in the vehicle" if it meets federal standards, is registered and can reach a reasonably safe state when something goes wrong. The US Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center summarizes the law.
For riders, the ban on local prohibitions matters most. A Tennessee city cannot vote robotaxis off its streets, as some councils elsewhere have tried to do.
Nashville's quick ramp-up
Waymo began inviting public riders in Nashville on Apr 7, 2026, across about 60 sq mi. Axios Nashville reported that the waitlist was dropped on Jun 25, 2026. Waymo rides came to the Lyft app on Sep 9, 2026, and teen accounts for ages 13 to 17 followed on Sep 22, 2026. The teen accounts guide explains how they work.
Waymo offers rides at Nashville International Airport to a limited number of riders so far, with pickups in Terminal Garage 2 on Level Zero.
No other operators yet
No robotaxi company other than Waymo is known to be running or testing in Tennessee.
Cities affected
- Nashville Driverless
Questions people ask
Can a Tennessee city ban robotaxis?
Tennessee's TCA 55-30, enacted in 2017, says local governments may not prohibit vehicles operated by an automated driving system.
Is Waymo in Nashville open to everyone?
Waymo runs driverless rides in Nashville without a waitlist, which Axios reported was dropped on Jun 25, 2026. Rides have also been on the Lyft app since Sep 9, 2026.
Can teenagers ride Waymo in Nashville?
Waymo launched teen accounts in Nashville on Sep 22, 2026 for riders aged 13 to 17.