MPR News · Estelle Timar-Wilcox · September 9, 2026
Autonomous cars are already testing the roads in Minneapolis, but the city may soon bar them from operating without a driver. A newly proposed ordinance in the City Council would require any companies operating driverless vehicles to have a human monitor — a licensed driver who would sit in the driver’s seat. Council members Robin Wonsley, Jamal Osman, Jason Chavez and Aurin Chowdhury drafted the ordinance, which is scheduled for a public hearing on Sept. 22. In a statement, the authors said they drafted the proposal out of concern for traffic safety and the job security of thousands of Uber and Lyft drivers in the city. “Unless the City takes immediate action, thousands of rideshare drivers and their families could begin to lose income to big tech companies and their commercial AVs, which unlike rideshare companies are not currently regulated by the City,” the statement read. The company Waymo is currently testing its automated cars in Minneapolis. For now, the cars are not picking up passengers, and there’s always a driver in the front seat. But the company is looking to scale up to eventually offer rides without drivers in the cars. The company, and supporters of automated vehicles, point to some studies that indicate the cars are safer than traditional vehicles with drivers. The state currently has no specific regulations for autonomous vehicles. Legislators considered rules this year that would create oversight for companies like Waymo but did not pass any. Under the proposed Minneapolis ordinance, a driver would need to be in the car and paid minimum wage. Any autonomous vehicle companies would also need to get a license to operate from the city. If the council and the mayor approve the ordinance, it will take effect in October 2027.