Cities want to put the boot on robotaxis

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="AUSTIN, TEXAS - APRIL 8: Tesla Cybercabs are lined up on a lot at Tesla Giga Texas in Austin, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. | Image: Getty Images" data-portal-copyright="Image: Getty Images" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/gettyimages-2270749481.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> AUSTIN, TEXAS - APRIL 8: Tesla Cybercabs are lined up on a lot at Tesla Giga Texas in Austin, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. | Image: Getty Images </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>This is </em><a href="https://www.theverge.com/the-stepback-newsletter">The Stepback</a>,<em> a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on autonomous vehicles, policy, and road rules, follow <a href="https://www.theverge.com/authors/andrew-j-hawkins">Andrew J. Hawkins</a>. </em>The Stepback<em> arrives in our subscribers' inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for</em> The Stepback<em> <a href="https://www.theverge.com/newsletters">here</a>.</em></p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">How it started</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The first state to pass a law legalizing self-driving cars operating on public roads was Nevada in June 2011 - long before such vehicles were operating on public roads. This was three years before the introduction of <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2014/10/9/6955357/this-is-tesla-s-d-an-all-wheel-drive-car-with-eyes-on-the-road">Tesla's Autopilot</a>, five years before <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2016/12/13/13936782/google-self-driving-car-waymo-spin-off-company">Waymo spun out</a> of the Google self-driving car project, and seven years before <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/5/18126103/waymo-one-self-driving-taxi-service-ride-safety-alphabet-cost-app">the first commercial robotaxi …</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/transportation/1013220/robotaxi-self-driving-car-laws">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>