64 of Waymo’s 83 Austin tickets stemmed from one parking habit

Waymo’s robotaxis in Austin have racked up 83 parking citations totaling $9,325 since launching in 2024, with 64 of those violations tied to a single issue: parking in tow-away zones. According to city records obtained by The Wall Street Journal, the fleet has paid $7,433 of the fines while $1,892 remained outstanding as of July 15. The breakdown shows 64 tow-away zone tickets, 13 for unpaid meters, and nine for double parking. The largest single citation hit $519 after a Jaguar I-Pace robotaxi parked in a disabled spot on September 11, 2024. Beyond routine infractions, Waymo faced niche incidents including a vehicle towed for blocking a railroad crossing in January 2025 and another accused of occupying a disabled space outside an elementary school. Residents also reported a Waymo blocking a church garage during Sunday services for over five minutes. A Waymo spokesperson emphasized the company does not expect special treatment, stating, “We do not expect different treatment [in regard] to ticketing.” The pattern underscores ongoing challenges for robotaxis in mastering urban parking rules despite advancements in autonomous driving technology.