Self-driving cars are in GA. Here’s what to know about driverless transportation
Self-driving cars have made their way to Georgia, and some people are opting in for a hands-free travel experience.
These autonomous services are not just a futuristic novelty anymore, says trusted auto experts, Kelly Blue Book — they are an active part of Georgia’s transportation scene.
Atlanta residents are already taking advantage of the launch of several major companies’ services and they may quickly become a practical option for many Georgia riders.
What is an autonomous car?
Self-driving, or autonomous cars, are driverless services equipped with artificial intelligence and sensors to navigate and operate without a human driver.
SAE international, a global organization of engineers and experts in the aerospace, automotive and vehicle industries have laid out the five levels of driverless systems, some with more driver support than others.
Driver Supported Systems
Levels 0 through 2 offer driver support features and are meant to lessen the workload on the driver. Many modern cars already have some level of this like adaptive cruise control or lane-assist features.
- Level 0: Cars react only to driver input and have no self-driving capabilities.
- Level 1: Slight intervention that heightens driver safety, like lane-keeping technology
Autonomous Systems
These vehicles do the driving for you and features communicate with each other.
- Level 2: Combines multiple features like adaptive cruise control and lane centering that can operate simultaneously. Drivers must remain attentive and ready to take control at all times
- Level 3: Cars can drive themselves under certain conditions. Drivers may take their eyes off the road, but need to be ready to resume control when needed.
- Level 4: Can drive themselves without any human intervention within fixed, predefined operational zones. Often lack traditional controls like a steering wheel or pedals. They are in limited use and are not yet approved for general public use in any state
- Level 5: This level is still theoretical and has not been implemented as yet. These cars will have full driving automation, capable of operating under any conditions and on any road without requiring a human driver.
Can you trust a driverless car?
This is a tricky question and the answer is firmly dependent on who you ask.
US Department of Transportation
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests that autonomous vehicles could eventually “offer transformative safety opportunities,” and there is currently, “considerable investment into safe testing, development and validation of automated driving systems.”
In the Frequently Asked Questions sections, the department reminds consumers that companies must also comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards to certify vehicle safety and that they operate as intended.
Data from driverless car services
Waymo, the autonomous driving tech company providing the service for Georgia published safety data. This data, supported by independent studies and insurance claim analysis, suggests the service is perfectly safe.
- 91% fewer serious injury or worse crashes compared to human drivers
- 79% reduction in airbag deployment crashes
- 80% fewer injury-causing collisions
- 92% fewer pedestrian crashes with injuries
Local consumers and city officials
The Saporta Report, an online news publication in metro Atlanta spoke to a few residents who have concerns about accessibility, cost-equity and complicated traffic patterns.
Council member Byron Amos, chair of the Council’s Transportation Committee is worried when traffic is at its peak. He asked, “What happens after a Falcons game? Or Beyoncé concert?” he said. “When you don’t only have foot traffic, but you have car traffic and scooter traffic?”
Another resident told Saporta she saw a Waymo and said it “seemed confused” when it attempted to drive through a parking lot holding the Peachtree Farmers Market.
Can you use a driverless car outside of Atlanta?
Currently, driverless car services in Georgia are focused solely on the Atlanta metropolitan area. Waymo officially launched its robotaxi service there in June 2025, covering a 65 square-mile area spanning from Downtown to Buckhead to Capitol View.
As of late 2025, there are, unfortunately, no official announcements regarding Waymo or other major autonomous vehicle companies expanding driverless car services beyond Atlanta.
Statewide expansion of driverless car services has yet to be realized, but it might not be long before the transportation landscape is completely transformed.
Would you ride in a driverless car? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.
This story was originally published November 21, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Self-driving cars are in GA. Here’s what to know about driverless transportation."