Man Climbs Into Waymo’s Driver’s Seat. Then He Gets A Call: 'Thanks For Doing This So I Don't Have To'

Waymos are often the subject of controversy. Throngs of passengers have expressed unease about relying on a fully self-driving EV to reliably take them to their destinations.

The electric, autonomous taxis have also been decried for running over animals, getting pulled over for traffic violations, and purportedly trapping riders.

One solution to this conundrum would be to allow riders to sit in the driver’s seat and steer a Waymo themselves if they chose to do so. This way, they don’t have to worry about finding parking in a crowded metro area, or take control if they believe their car is being driven in an unsafe manner.

While this would be an insurance and potential safety nightmare, there are other obstacles that prevent Waymo riders from jumping into the driver's seat.

Steph (@sunnysteph7) recently recorded what happens when a Waymo passenger tries to sit in the driver's seat. Her post has 2.6 million views as of this writing.

What Happens When You Sit In A Waymo’s Driver’s Seat?

Steph’s video begins with a man climbing over the center console of a Waymo. She laughs, and the video cuts to the man sitting in the front passenger seat.

The reason for the switch becomes instantly apparent. A Waymo representative comes over the speakers, "As you are violating our terms of service, Waymo’s canceling your trip, may need to cancel your trip."

"No, no," a man responds.

"No rider is allowed to sit in the Waymo driver seat. You have a great night and thanks for riding with Waymo," the rep says as the video ends.

Waymo's terms state that passengers are not allowed to sit in the driver's seat. "The driver’s seat is off-limits, but feel free to sit in any other available seat. The front passenger seat in the Jaguar I-PACE is available," the terms say.

An infographic of the Jaguar I-PACE highlights the driver’s seat in red, with a large red "X" over it. Conversely, both the front passenger and rear passenger seats are highlighted in blue.

Waymo's parent company, Google, states that "Waymo cars have seats for a maximum of 4 riders." The autonomous driving service’s help page adds that "the front passenger seat is available to any rider who is at least 8 years old."

What Controls Can You Adjust In A Waymo?

To prevent your ride from being interrupted by a customer service rep, passengers should avoid fiddling with any controls inside a Waymo vehicle. Google writes, "If you sit in the front, you can interact with the in-car screen or adjust the physical seat and window controls, but please don’t touch any other controls."

The Los Angeles Times reports that some drivers have attempted to hop into Waymo's driver’s seat and speed off. However, the outlet notes that Google says it's not possible to override its system. This way, passengers seated don’t have to worry about a stranger jumping in and driving off with them inside.

"Despite those defense mechanisms, Waymo also prepares for situations in which people get into the driver’s seat. The company’s rider support team is immediately alerted and can request that the person leave the car," Google reportedly told the outlet.

 The Times writes that in January 2025, a man tried to steal a Waymo. Customer reps asked him to exit the car, but he refused. Ultimately, law enforcement was called to assess the situation and found the man still inside. When officers arrived at the scene, the man got out.

What Do People Think About Waymos?

Over 200 people commented on Steph's post. Many wondered why Waymos have driver's seats or steering wheels.

"I feel like them putting a driver's seat there is just setting us up for failure," one wrote.

Many people expressed skepticism that Waymos are safe. "So can’t do that but they can run red lights?" kprovo said with apparent sarcasm.

Gingerloaf775 had an idea for how to utilize the driver's seat rule to your advantage, writing, "So is that how you cancel the car if it bugs out?"

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And then some were just grateful to Steph's companion. Munsco wrote, "Whew. Thanks for doing this so I don’t have to!"

Motor1 contacted Steph via TikTok direct message. We'll be sure to update this article if she responds.

 

 

 

 

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