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Can kids, pets, or a tip ride along in a robotaxi?

Under Tesla's Robotaxi Rider Rules, the undated PDF we downloaded on Nov 2, 2026, you must be 18 to book a ride or ride alone. In a Model Y, guests 8 to 17 can come along with an adult, and children under 8 cannot ride. In a Cybercab, guests 13 to 17 can come with an adult, and children under 13 cannot ride. Service animals can ride, and other animals stay home. The PDF says nothing about tipping. Utah has no robotaxi service.

D.R. Autonomy is an independent Utah company and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Tesla. This page is not legal advice.


Tesla: who can ride

From Tesla's Robotaxi Rider Rules PDF, downloaded Nov 2, 2026. The PDF has no date on it.

  • You must be at least 18 to book a Robotaxi and to ride alone.
  • You may not book a ride for someone else, and you must stay with your guests for the whole ride.
  • Model Y: guests ages 8 to 17 may ride with a parent's or legal guardian's consent, and not unaccompanied. Children under 8 are prohibited "regardless of parental or guardian consent."
  • Cybercab: guests ages 13 to 17 may ride with that same consent, and not unaccompanied. Children under 13 are prohibited "regardless of parental or guardian consent."
  • Seats: Model Y riders may not sit in the front-left seat, and the limit is four passengers. Cybercab riders may sit in either seat, and the limit is two.

Tesla: car seats

The PDF says you must follow the laws on traveling with small children. If a car or booster seat is required, you bring it, install it following the seat maker's instructions, and keep the child secured for the whole ride.

Tesla's Cybercab rider guide ("Seats and Seat Belts") was loaded Nov 2, 2026 through a page reader after tesla.com returned 403. It says:

"Minors under 13 years of age are NOT allowed in Cybercab at this time."

"Cybercab DOES NOT have a LATCH/ISOFIX safety system. Any booster seats must be installed using the seat belt retained method."

That no-LATCH line is from the Cybercab guide. The Rider Rules PDF does not say anything about anchors in the Model Y.

Tesla: pets and service animals

The PDF says: "Disabled riders may bring Service Animals. All other animals must stay home." It does not list a paperwork requirement.

Tesla: tipping

The Rider Rules PDF does not mention tips. Tesla has not published a tipping policy in that document.

One rider, @dac_hus, posted on X on Oct 30, 2026 at 8:18 a.m. MT (14:18 UTC). The post text says: "Took a Cybercab and elon is asking me if I want to tip $0.69, $4.20, or $14.88." The attached screenshot shows a "Leave a tip?" screen with those three buttons. The phone clock in the screenshot reads 8:12. That is one rider's post and one screenshot. It is not a fare table or a Tesla policy, and we cannot tell from it whether other riders see the same prompt.

Waymo, from Waymo's own pages

Fetched Nov 2, 2026.

Age and guests. Waymo's FAQ says passengers 17 and under can ride as your guests. Children under 8 need a car or booster seat secured in the back seat, and they cannot sit in front. Waymo's FAQ says its vehicles can carry up to 4 riders, in any seat except the driver's seat. Waymo's help-center rules say the same cap of 4, with the driver's seat off limits, and say to stay with your guests and not to request a car for someone else.

Teen accounts. Waymo's pages differ: its FAQ says teen accounts are in Phoenix for ages 14–17, while its help center says Phoenix and Nashville for ages 13–17. Both pages were open on Nov 2, 2026. Check the current page for the city you mean. We are not picking one over the other.

Pets. Waymo's rules say "Leave pets at home," because some passengers may have allergies.

Service animals. Waymo's help page says service animals small enough to fit in the vehicle are welcome to ride with riders with disabilities. Only animals trained to do work or tasks for a person with a disability count. Emotional support and therapy animals are not allowed. Waymo says you do not need to give notice ahead of time, bring paperwork, or have a vest or ID tag. If it is not obvious, Support may ask whether the animal is required because of a disability and what work or task it is trained to do.

Tipping. Waymo's Waymo-on-Uber page says fully autonomous Waymo rides matched through Uber do not require a tip. That page covers Uber-matched rides. We did not find a Waymo One tipping page on Nov 2, 2026.

Wheelchairs

Wheelchair access is covered on its own page: wheelchair-accessible robotaxis.

Where this applies

Tesla's PDF does not say its age rules change by city. As of Nov 2, 2026, Utah is not on either company's service map. See robotaxi status in Salt Lake City / Utah.

Related reading

Sources

  1. Tesla Robotaxi Rider Rules (PDF, undated), downloaded Nov 2, 2026.
    Robotaxi-Rider-Rules.pdf
  2. Tesla Cybercab rider guide, "Seats and Seat Belts," loaded Nov 2, 2026 through a page reader. Direct request HTTP 403.
    Cybercab rider guide
  3. Waymo FAQ, fetched Nov 2, 2026.
    waymo.com/faq
  4. Waymo rider rules, fetched Nov 2, 2026.
    support.google.com/waymo answer 9197501
  5. Waymo service animals, fetched Nov 2, 2026.
    support.google.com/waymo answer 9059341
  6. Waymo on Uber, fetched Nov 2, 2026.
    waymo.com/waymo-on-uber
  7. X post by @dac_hus, Oct 30, 2026, 14:18 UTC, confirmed via api.fxtwitter.com on Nov 2, 2026. One rider's screenshot, not a Tesla policy.
    x.com/dac_hus/status/2116172899673665848

FAQ

Can a toddler ride in a Tesla Robotaxi?

No. Tesla's Robotaxi Rider Rules, the undated PDF we downloaded Nov 2, 2026, prohibit children under 8 in a Model Y Robotaxi and under 13 in a Cybercab, even with a parent's consent.

Can a teen ride a Cybercab alone?

No. Tesla's rules say guests 13 to 17 may ride a Cybercab with a parent or guardian's consent, and that they may not ride unaccompanied.

Where do Waymo's teen-account pages disagree?

Waymo's pages differ: its FAQ says teen accounts are in Phoenix for ages 14–17, while its help center says Phoenix and Nashville for ages 13–17.

Who brings the car seat?

You do. Tesla's rules say you must bring and install a required car or booster seat yourself. Tesla's Cybercab guide says the Cybercab has no LATCH/ISOFIX system, so a booster has to be installed with the seat belt. Waymo says children under 8 need a car or booster seat in the back seat.

Can I bring a dog?

Not a pet. Tesla's rules say all animals other than service animals must stay home. Waymo's rules say to leave pets at home.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, on both companies' pages we read Nov 2, 2026. Tesla says disabled riders may bring service animals. Waymo says task-trained service animals that fit in the car may ride, and that emotional support and therapy animals are not allowed.

Do you tip a Waymo?

Waymo's Waymo-on-Uber page says fully autonomous Waymo rides matched through Uber do not require a tip. That page is about Uber-matched rides. We did not find a separate Waymo One tipping page.

Does Tesla publish a tip policy?

Not in its Robotaxi Rider Rules PDF, which does not mention tips. One rider's Oct 30, 2026 post on X showed a screenshot with tip buttons for $0.69, $4.20, and $14.88. That is one post, not a Tesla policy.

Can I hail one in Utah?

No. As of Nov 2, 2026, there is no robotaxi service in Utah.