Waymo Teen Account: How Teens Can Ride Alone

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Checked Nov 11, 20266 sources cited below

A Waymo teen account lets riders aged 13 to 17 ride on their own, linked to a parent or guardian's account, but only in Metro Phoenix and Nashville. Teens can bring up to three friends who are 13 or older. Everywhere else, and with Tesla and Zoox, under-18s must ride with an adult.

Ages13 to 17
WhereMetro Phoenix and Nashville
GuestsUp to 3, each 13+
Teens per parentUp to 5

Setting one up

  1. From the Waymo app's home screen, the parent taps Account, then Teen accounts.
  2. Tap "Invite your teen" and enter the teen's email address.
  3. The teen downloads the app, accepts the invite and sets up the account.

Steps and the five-teen limit are from Waymo's teen page (Waymo). Checked Nov 11, 2026

What a teen needs

  • A Google email account and a smartphone such as an iPhone or Android. Phones built for kids, Waymo names Gabb, don't work with the Waymo app.
  • A credit card on the account. Prepaid debit cards and gift cards with credit card logos don't work.
  • If the app shows "Can't access this service", it may be a Google Workspace for Education account or a Google account set up for a child under 13; Waymo says eligible teens can update their Google settings.

Rules and oversight

Teens follow the same rider rules as everyone: buckle up, don't touch the driving controls, no smoking or vaping, no pets other than service animals. The parent gets an email receipt after each of the teen's trips, and the teen can share a trip from the app (Waymo Help). Anyone under 18 who rides alone without a teen account, or who isn't the guest of an approved teen account holder, violates Waymo's terms and can be barred from the service.

Teen accounts started in Metro Phoenix and opened in Nashville on September 22, 2026 (Waymo). Outside those areas, Waymo lets family members under 18, and other minors with their parent's consent, ride as guests of an adult who stays with them (Waymo Rider Rules).

Tesla and Zoox

Tesla requires riders to be 18 to book or ride alone; guests 8 to 17 can ride in a Model Y and 13 to 17 in a Cybercab, with an adult and parental consent (Tesla Rider Rules). Zoox requires the person hailing the ride to be 18 or over (Zoox).

Related: Waymo Phoenix · Waymo Nashville · Rider rules compared · How to ride Waymo

Questions riders ask

What age can you ride Waymo alone?

18, or 13 to 17 with a Waymo teen account linked to a parent or guardian, in Metro Phoenix and Nashville only.

Can teens bring friends?

Yes. A teen account holder can bring up to three guests who are each 13 or older.

Can a teen account be used in other cities?

No. Teen accounts work anywhere inside the Metro Phoenix and Nashville service areas. In any other city, a teen needs an adult with them.

Do Tesla Robotaxi or Zoox have teen accounts?

No. Tesla requires riders to be 18 to book or ride alone, and Zoox requires the person hailing the ride to be 18 or over.

Sources

BookARobotaxi Editorial Team

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