# Waymo delays Philly driverless timeline

> Waymo won't share when it will go fully driverless in Philadelphia after a year of testing.
- Title: Waymo delays Philly driverless timeline · PhillyVoice
- Summary: Waymo won't share when it will go fully driverless in Philadelphia after a year of testing. Waymo has not provided a timeline for when it will operate fully…
- Keywords: waymo, philadelphia, city council, jim harrity, penn dot, self-driving cars, autonomous vehicles, driverless cars, safety drivers, news, local, delays
- Source: PhillyVoice — https://phillyvoice.com/waymo-philly-testing-autonomous-vehicles-penndot
- Published: 2026-10-09T09:01:00.752+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: waymo, philadelphia, city council, jim harrity, penn dot, self-driving cars, autonomous vehicles, driverless cars, safety drivers, news, local
## Waymo testing in Philly
Waymo has been testing autonomous vehicles in Philadelphia with human safety drivers behind the wheel for more than a year.
## Philly resident spots Waymo
A mom driving her kids to school spotted a Waymo vehicle at an intersection on Sept 22, 2026, but couldn't see a driver.
## Waymo denies autonomous operation
Waymo spokesperson Ethan Teicher said no vehicles operate without trained specialists in Philadelphia.
## PennDOT investigates
PennDOT directed Waymo to review its routes after receiving a photo of a Waymo vehicle without a driver.
## Waymo review confirms drivers
Waymo reviewed 24 hours of data showing all vehicles had drivers or were in autonomous mode.
## City Council wants transparency
City Councilmember Jim Harrity wants Waymo to share safety data and timelines for driverless cars.
## Waymo avoids timeline
Waymo has not provided a timeline for when it will operate fully driverless vehicles in Philadelphia.
## State regulation delays
PennDOT requires 10 days' notice before Waymo can operate without drivers in Philadelphia.
## City Council frustration
City Council feels powerless to regulate Waymo's autonomous vehicle testing due to state authority.
## Public safety concerns
Residents report fear of Waymo crashes and glitches, with some claiming vehicles stop abruptly in traffic.
## Waymo expansion plans
Waymo is expanding into 20 new markets worldwide with autonomous testing in Atlanta and Dallas.
## City Council preference
City Councilmember Jim Harrity wants Waymo to start in Pittsburgh before Philadelphia.
## Economic impact fears
Low-income residents worry Waymo will reduce gig work income for rideshare drivers.
## PennDOT monitoring
PennDOT encourages public to report Waymo vehicles without drivers for investigation.
## Waymo's next steps
Waymo will need PennDOT certification before operating fully driverless vehicles in Philadelphia.
## Timeline uncertainty
Waymo has not specified when it will operate without drivers in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh.
## Key takeaway

Waymo has not provided a timeline for when it will operate fully driverless vehicles in Philadelphia despite over a year of testing with human safety drivers.