Maryland Lawmakers Halt Driverless Vehicle Authorization

Waymo's plans to expand autonomous ride-sharing services to Baltimore and D.C. region face setback as state legislature fails to pass enabling legislation.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 2:24am

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration of the sensor array of an autonomous vehicle, featuring various camera, lidar, and radar modules illuminated by neon cyan and magenta lights, conceptually representing the complex technological infrastructure behind self-driving car technology.As Maryland lawmakers delay approving autonomous vehicles, the advanced sensor technology that powers self-driving cars remains a source of both excitement and uncertainty.Baltimore Today

Maryland lawmakers did not authorize the use of autonomous vehicles on state roads before the end of the legislative session, dealing a setback to Waymo's plans to expand its driverless ride-sharing service to the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. region. Waymo had advocated for two bills that would have provided the necessary legal framework, but the measures failed to gain traction in the legislature.

Why it matters

The lack of regulatory approval in Maryland is a significant obstacle for Waymo, which had identified the Baltimore-D.C. corridor as a key market for its autonomous vehicle technology. The decision highlights the challenges tech companies face in navigating the patchwork of state-level policies governing self-driving cars, which can vary widely across the country.

The details

In 2025, Waymo announced plans to bring its driverless ride-share service to 15 more cities, including Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The company had started manual testing of its vehicles in Maryland last December, but needed special permits from the state to operate fully autonomous vehicles and carry passengers. Waymo representatives testified before the Maryland House of Delegates and Senate in March, advocating for two bills that would have authorized the use of autonomous vehicles. However, the measures did not gain enough support to pass before the legislative session ended.

  • In 2025, Waymo announced plans to expand its driverless ride-share service to 15 more cities, including Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
  • In December 2025, Waymo started manual testing of its vehicles in Maryland.
  • In March 2026, Waymo representatives testified before the Maryland House of Delegates and Senate in support of two bills to authorize autonomous vehicles.

The players

Waymo

An American autonomous driving company and a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.

Ethan Teicher

A spokesperson for Waymo.

John Seng

The founder and chair of SafeRoadsMD, an organization that supports the adoption of autonomous vehicles.

Spencer Brown

A Baltimore resident who expressed skepticism about autonomous vehicles, citing concerns about job losses.

Gwendolyn Page

A Baltimore resident who expressed uncertainty about the safety of autonomous vehicles without a human driver.

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What they’re saying

“We'll explore every available avenue to gain the certainty needed to invest millions of dollars in the jobs and infrastructure required to support our Baltimore operations. We want to bring our technology to the state of Maryland, and we've heard from people across the state who want access to the safety and accessibility benefits of our ride-hailing service.”

— Waymo spokesperson

“All you need to do is use the Waymo app. You can hail a vehicle just like any other rideshare service. The only big difference is that you're all alone by yourself. It's your private space, and it's the same driver, so to speak, every time.”

— Ethan Teicher, Waymo spokesperson

“The human driver — we love them — but they are not the best behind the wheel of a vehicle in the state of Maryland or in the U.S. It is a lot easier to tweak the engineering of an autonomous vehicle than it is to tweak the behavior of one human being who just can't put that cell phone down.”

— John Seng, Founder and chair of SafeRoadsMD

“I am not quick to embrace it at this point. I know it is taking a lot of jobs away from people that are trying to make an extra buck on the side of whatever they have to do, especially with the rising cost of everything.”

— Spencer Brown, Baltimore resident

“Regular cars, no electric, and handle our own business.”

— Gwendolyn Page, Baltimore resident

What’s next

Waymo has indicated that it will explore every available avenue to gain the necessary regulatory approval to operate its autonomous vehicles in Maryland, including potentially pursuing further legislative action or legal challenges. The company remains committed to bringing its technology to the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. region and has stated that it has heard from many residents who are interested in the safety and accessibility benefits of its ride-hailing service.

The takeaway

The failure of Maryland lawmakers to authorize the use of autonomous vehicles highlights the ongoing challenges that technology companies like Waymo face in navigating the patchwork of state-level policies governing self-driving cars. This decision could delay the deployment of autonomous vehicle services in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. corridor, potentially limiting access to the safety and convenience benefits that these technologies can provide.