Waymo Announces Expansion of Self-Driving Vehicle Service to Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach residents may begin seeing more Waymo self-driving vehicles on local streets as the company expands its service throughout the South Bay.

On November 3, 2026, Waymo announced the expansion of its autonomous (self-driving) passenger vehicle service into several South Bay communities, including Manhattan Beach, Lawndale, Torrance, and El Segundo.

As a result of this regional expansion, residents may notice Waymo vehicles traveling on streets throughout the South Bay, including within the City of Manhattan Beach.

What Residents Should Know

Waymo's expansion was not initiated or approved by the City of Manhattan Beach.

Under current California law, the authorization and regulation of autonomous vehicle operations are primarily overseen by state agencies, including the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Individual cities, including Manhattan Beach, generally do not have the authority to prohibit state-authorized autonomous vehicles from operating on public streets within their jurisdictions.

However, autonomous vehicles must follow the same applicable traffic and parking laws as other passenger vehicles and are subject to enforcement.

Public Safety and Emergency Response

The City of Manhattan Beach has coordinated with Waymo to help ensure local public safety personnel are prepared to respond to incidents involving autonomous vehicles.

Manhattan Beach Police and Fire Department personnel have received training on how to safely interact with Waymo vehicles, including procedures for securing, disabling, or moving a vehicle when necessary, such as following a traffic collision or when a vehicle becomes immobilized.

Waymo also provides 24/7 incident response support to assist first responders when needed.

As autonomous vehicles become more prevalent throughout the South Bay, the City of Manhattan Beach remains committed to public safety and keeping residents informed.

Additional Information and Resources

Residents interested in learning more about Waymo's operations and autonomous vehicle regulations can visit the following resources: