Independent rider's guide. Not affiliated with Waymo, Tesla, Zoox, Uber or Lyft. We don't book rides: book in the official apps. About our independence
Here's how to ride Waymo, the most widely available driverless taxi; it takes about a minute to learn. You book in the Waymo app, the car shows letters you pick so you know it's yours, you unlock it from your phone, buckle up and press Start Ride. Here is the whole sequence, then guides to the questions people ask before their first trip.
Your first ride, step by step
- Download the Waymo app and create an account (Waymo). In Austin and Atlanta, use Uber instead; see Waymo on Uber.
- Enter where you want to go. Waymo picks the pickup and drop-off spots it considers safest, which may be a short walk away.
- Find your car. Waymo lets you choose two letters that appear on the car at pickup.
- Unlock it with the app and get in. Up to four people can ride, in any seat but the driver's.
- Buckle up and tap Start Ride. The passenger screen shows what the car sees and its route.
- At your destination, take your things; the trunk opens automatically when you get out (Waymo Help).
During the ride
- You can add stops or change your destination; it may change the price.
- Your cabin preferences (temperature, legroom, audio) can be saved in the app's My car tab, and the option to pull over is on the in-car screen (Waymo).
- For help, tap the Support button on the in-car screen. Support is available by phone, chat or email 24/7, in English (Waymo Help).
- Keep your seat belt on, don't smoke, vape, drink alcohol or use drugs in the car, and keep it clean: Waymo charges $50 for a mess you report and $100 for a first unreported one (Waymo Rider Rules).
Guides
- Do you tip Waymo?No tip, and what you do pay.
- Pets and service animalsWhat Waymo, Tesla and Zoox allow.
- Teen accountsAges 13 to 17, Phoenix and Nashville.
- Wheelchair and accessibilityAccessible vehicles and app features.
- Waymo on Uber and LyftAustin, Atlanta and Nashville.
- Lost and foundGetting back something you left.
- Waitlists and early accessHow cities open, honestly.
- Rider rules comparedAge, kids, luggage, hours side by side.
Questions riders ask
How do you ride a Waymo?
Download the Waymo app, enter your destination and request a car. When it arrives, check the two letters on the car match the app, unlock it from the app, buckle up and tap Start Ride.
Can I ride a Waymo without the app?
Not in its own cities; you need the Waymo app. In Austin and Atlanta you use the Uber app instead, and in Nashville you can also be matched through Lyft.
What if something goes wrong during the ride?
Tap the Support button on the in-car screen. Waymo support is available 24/7 by phone, chat or email in English, and you can ask the car to pull over from the in-car screen.
Sources
- Ride with Waymo: where Waymo is driving, Waymo Operator, checked Nov 11, 2026
- Waymo FAQ, Waymo Operator, checked Nov 11, 2026
- Trunk access, Waymo Help Operator, checked Nov 11, 2026
- Contact Support, Waymo Help Operator, checked Nov 11, 2026
- Announcements, Waymo Help Operator, checked Nov 11, 2026
- Waymo Rider Rules, Waymo Help Operator, checked Nov 11, 2026
We check every fare, city, airport and rule against the operators' own help pages, regulators and reputable reporting, and we date each check. Reported figures are labeled as reported. We don't sell rides, codes or rankings. About us · How we source and check facts