Oct 30, 2018 - Technology

Waymo obtains California permit for fully driverless testing

Photo of Waymo self-driving minivan on street.

Photo: Waymo

Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving car unit, has obtained a permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles to begin testing on public roads without a safety driver behind the wheel. The company says it is the first to obtain such a permit.

Why it matters: This is a step towards Waymo's plan to eventually roll out a self-driving car service for customers in California as it has already done in Phoenix. The company has also been testing fully driverless rides on its private test track three hours outside of San Francisco (check out Axios's visit).

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