Driverless Waymo Pulled Over by California Police for Illegal U-Turn

tech360.tv
Oct 1, 2025
2 min read

San Bruno, California, police officers stopped a self-driving Waymo vehicle for an illegal U-turn, only to discover no human driver was present to receive a citation. The incident occurred during a DUI operation in the early morning on a Saturday.

Autonomous white SUV driving on an urban street with colorful buildings. License plate reads "70726D3." Overcast sky adds a futuristic mood. — Credit: WAYMO

Officers could not issue a ticket for the moving violation because citation books require a human driver or operator. Unlike parking tickets, moving violations cannot be left with a vehicle.

The San Bruno Police Department shared details of the encounter in social media posts that gained widespread attention. Officers contacted Waymo, reporting what they termed a "glitch," and expressed hope that reprogramming would prevent similar future actions.

A new state law, scheduled to take effect next year, will permit police to report moving violations involving autonomous vehicles to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV is currently determining the specific procedures and potential penalties for such incidents.

Waymo spokesperson Julia Ilina stated that the company's autonomous driving system is closely monitored by regulators. Ilina added that Waymo is investigating the situation and remains dedicated to enhancing road safety through ongoing learnings and experience.

Robotics-equipped white cars in a spacious, bright factory with high ceilings. Open hoods suggest assembly or maintenance activity. — Credit: WAYMO

Waymo, owned by Google's parent company Alphabet, currently operates its vehicles in Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Its service area also includes suburbs south of San Francisco, such as San Bruno.

Sgt. Scott Smithmatungol of the San Bruno Police Department noted the widespread attention the social media post received. San Bruno, with approximately 40,000 residents, maintains a police force of 50 sworn officers.

San Bruno police stopped a Waymo autonomous vehicle for an illegal U-turn.
Officers could not issue a citation as there was no human driver present for a moving violation.
A new state law will enable reporting of autonomous vehicle violations to the Department of Motor Vehicles next year.

Source: AP NEWS