Child Safety in Autonomous Vehicles: Rules and Risks (2026 Update)

Parents now ask a practical question: can children use robotaxis safely today? The answer depends on age, account structure, and car-seat compliance. This guide summarizes current published policies and where families still need caution.

Can children ride alone in a robotaxi?

In Waymo's Phoenix service area, teens ages 14-17 can use linked teen accounts when a parent or guardian opts in and sets permissions. Source: Waymo Teen Accounts.

Waymo's current rider guidance also states that passengers 17 and under may ride as guests while the guardian controls booking and supervision expectations. Source: Waymo Rider Help: Children and Teens.

What are the car-seat rules in robotaxis?

Waymo's child-safety guidance says children under age 8 must use a car seat or booster seat in the back seat, and riders must follow local child-passenger safety laws. Source: Waymo Rider Help: Child Seating.

How should parents evaluate risk before booking?

• Check feature availability by city: teen-account support is market-specific.
• Pre-install restraint systems: bring and secure a seat before trip start if required for your child's age and size.
• Use guardian controls: only permit pickup and drop-off points your family has pre-approved.
• Review service alerts: monitor operator app updates for route restrictions, weather pauses, or service changes.

Where does consumer confidence stand?

AAA reported in February 2025 that 6 in 10 U.S. drivers said they are afraid of self-driving vehicles and only 13% said they trust them. For parents, that means household trust planning is still as important as technical policy compliance. Source: AAA Survey.

Bottom line for families in 2026

Robotaxi use by families is viable today, but only if you treat each ride like regulated child transport: verified account permissions, correct restraints, and city-specific policy checks before every booking.