The California Public Utilities Commission just signed off on Waymo CPUC approval for fared driverless rides in a much wider slice of the state. Staff’s August 14 disposition approves Advice Letters 0004 and 0004-A. That clears paid robotaxi service in the expanded territory and on Waymo’s new Ojai vans.
What the Waymo CPUC approval actually clears
The DMV already widened Waymo’s operational design domain on November 21, 2025. Specifically, that permit covers more of Northern and Southern California, including Sacramento and San Diego, plus the Ojai platform. Then the CPUC letter fills the passenger-service gap. It lets Waymo collect fares without a safety driver in those areas.
Staff wrote that Waymo may begin fared driverless passenger service in the specified areas, and with the Ojai, effective August 14. The Ojai is the renamed Zeekr minivan Waymo is adding next to the Jaguar I-PACE. TMM already covered the first Ojai rider trips when that van opened.
Gradual rollout, and who objected
Waymo says expansion will be gradual and guided by its safety framework. It also says it will keep local officials and residents informed. Also, the company has not named a first paid ride date for Sacramento or San Diego.
San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and its Taxicab Advisory Committee protested the January filing. They warned about blocked streets, trolley tracks, taxi jobs, and the lack of local veto power. However, CPUC staff said those arguments do not meet the protest rules. Staff treated them as policy fights already decided, or as issues for the DMV and a separate rulemaking.
Meanwhile, 29 groups backed the first letter, and eight more backed the May supplement. Those supporters included disability and senior groups, chambers of commerce, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Besides the protests, staff also asked Waymo for more detail on unaccompanied minors and rider safety during outages. Waymo answered that in Advice Letter 0004-A.
Permission is not the same as cars on every street tomorrow. California’s other AV fight, the Teamsters driverless-truck lawsuit, shows how messy the next mile can get. As a result, riders still have to wait for Waymo to turn the permit into actual pickups.
