How to Use Waymo: My First Ride in a Driverless Car

I never thought I’d ride in one, yet here I am.

I was in San Francisco for a few days on a work trip, squeezing in some sightseeing around my events (as I always try to do). I usually walk or use public transportation whenever I travel, partly because I enjoy it, partly because it’s just easier in big cities like this.

I even walked from Pier 39 to the Golden Gate Bridge one day. It such a scenic route with lots of fun stops along the way if you’re thinking of adding it to your San Francisco plans.

Anyway, this particular morning, I was out for a walk to Chinatown when I noticed a white car with one of those camera bubbles on top. I figured it was a Google Street View car out remapping the city. Cool, right?

Then I saw another. Then another.

Okay, now it’s weird. I started wondering if maybe Google was building some kind of 3D visual guide. I wasn’t paying too much attention though, just making my way through the city.

I stopped at a corner to check my phone and make sure I was still headed in the right direction when a car pulled up to the stop sign on my left. I saw its turn signal on, so I motioned for it to go ahead and turn.

It didn’t move.

Still looking at my phone, I motioned again, this time actually looking at the passenger, who was cracking up. He gently pointed toward the driver’s seat, and that’s when I realized:

There was no driver.

It was one of the Waymo driverless cars. I had heard about them being in San Francisco but never expected to just bump into one.

I took a few steps back so I was out of the car’s sensor range and watched in total amazement as it turned the corner, completely on its own.

All those “Google street view cars” I’d seen earlier?

Not Google. Waymo.

And from that moment on, I was obsessed. I couldn’t stop watching them. Every time one passed by, I’d stare like I was watching a spaceship land.

Before that morning, I had zero intention of ever riding in one. None. But suddenly, that was all I wanted to do. Maybe it’s the sci-fi nerd in me (I, Robot, anyone?), but I had to know what it was like.

How to Use Waymo: What to Expect on Your First Ride

That night, I watched a few YouTube videos about how to use Waymo. Turns out, it works just like Uber or Lyft.

You download the Waymo One app, create an account, add a payment method, and enter your destination. It’ll show you the cost and how far away the nearest car is. When you’re ready, you hit the “Request Ride” button and can track the car’s arrival in the app.

When the car arrives, the app gives you a button to unlock the doors, because the door handles are recessed (fancy Jaguars!). You can also open the trunk through the app.

There are cameras inside the car and even in the trunk to make sure you’re not forgetting anything. If you do? The app will notify you.

When I got in, I was greeted with soft music and a voice saying, “Welcome, Lisa.” Way cool.

You can sit in the front or back, it doesn’t matter. There’s a touchscreen in both rows where you can adjust the music and follow along with your route. The car also explains how to unlock and open the doors (pull once to unlock, again to open).

Once you’re settled in, you press a button, either on the app or the touchscreen, to tell the car it’s okay to start driving. It won’t go anywhere until you give it the green light, which made me feel oddly in control for being in a driverless car.

The car drove so well, I almost forgot there wasn’t a person behind the wheel. It followed traffic patterns like a human would, slowly inching forward in traffic, adjusting around tight corners, even reacting to parked cars that stuck out more than others.

At one point, we were crawling through a busy street in Chinatown when the car came to a gentle stop. I wasn’t sure why until a woman pushing a stroller suddenly walked out from between two parked cars. Not in a crosswalk or an intersection.

I hadn’t seen her. But Waymo had.

That was my wow moment.

When you arrive, the car lets you know you’ve reached your destination and reminds you to gather your belongings. Once you close the door, it waits about 10 seconds before pulling away just in case you need to open it again. If you do, the timer resets.

Safety Features in a Waymo Ride

The idea of getting into a driverless car felt a little futuristic. But once I learned about the Waymo safety features, I was surprisingly at ease.

Waymo cars are equipped with cameras that are always on, both inside and out. The cameras monitor the ride, enforce safety protocols, and help recover lost items.

The microphones inside the car stay off unless you tap the Help button for support. Outside, they’re always on so the car can detect things like emergency sirens or voices near the vehicle.

If you need help, you can tap the Help button on the touchscreen or in the app at any time.

You can also adjust your route, add stops, or change destinations mid-ride. And if you leave something behind, even in the trunk, you’ll get a notification through the app.

The car was cautious, smooth, and constantly aware of its surroundings. From adjusting around awkwardly parked cars to stopping for unseen pedestrians, it handled the road like it was genuinely paying attention.

Got Questions About Waymo?

Is the Google driverless car the same as Waymo?
Pretty much! Waymo started as a project within Google. It’s now its own company under Google’s parent company, Alphabet, but it uses the same tech that began as Google’s self-driving car program.

How much does Waymo cost?
It’s comparable to Uber or Lyft. My ride was priced slightly higher than Uber in San Francisco. You’ll see the cost in the app before you book.

Where are Waymo cars available?
Currently, Waymo operates in San Francisco, parts of Los Angeles, and Phoenix. They’re slowly expanding, so check the Waymo One app to see if it’s available where you are.

Is Waymo safe?
From my experience, yes. The car was cautious, smooth, and seemed to notice everything happening around it. The combination of sensors, cameras, and app support made me feel confident and comfortable.

Does Waymo listen to you?
Nope. The microphones inside the car are off unless you contact support. Outside microphones are always on for safety reasons, like hearing emergency vehicles or people nearby, but the car’s not eavesdropping on your conversations.

Three more Waymo cars in front of me!

Final Thoughts on Riding in a Waymo Car

Riding in a Waymo was part magic, part movie scene, and somehow… totally normal. I went from mildly curious to full-on fan in a single ride.

I texted my kids after the ride:
“Don’t worry about me when I’m old. I’ve made friends with the robots.”