City Council considers 'Workers Drive Minneapolis' ordinance to protect drivers from job loss to robotaxis

The Minneapolis City Council is considering local regulations on commercial autonomous vehicles (AVs) such as Waymo, Tesla and Zoox. The “Workers Drive Minneapolis” ordinance would go into effect in October 2027 and would require all robotaxis commercially operating in the city to have a human safety monitor in the driver’s seat during operation. 
 
Workers Drive Minneapolis would require all companies to obtain a license from the city to operate a commercial AV. To qualify for a license, the company must ensure that all vehicles have a human monitor in the driver’s seat who has a driver’s license and meets other basic qualifications. The monitor must be compensated in accordance with the minimum rates established by law. Remote operation of a commercial AV by a person is prohibited. Workers Drive Minneapolis will protect over 10,000 rideshare drivers– mostly workers of color and immigrant workers– who support themselves and their families by driving rideshare. 
 
City Council Minority Leader Robin Wonsley, Council Vice President Jamal Osman, Council Member Jason Chavez, and Council Member Aurin Chowdhury introduced the legislation along with a public memo outlining the risks that commercial AVs pose and the need for regulations to protect workers and the public before commercial AVs begin providing transportation service in Minneapolis. 
 
“Workers Drive Minneapolis is about public safety and protecting immigrant workers from losing their jobs to automation,” said City Council Minority Leader Robin Wonsley (Ward 2). “Rideshare drivers and their families are invested in our city and our communities. Big Tech companies are not.”
 
“The Minneapolis City Council led the state to make rideshare driving a fair and viable way for people to support their families. Now big tech is pushing a new model that removes workers entirely, and raises lots of concerns about safety and accountability. Requiring a trained person in the vehicle is a reasonable safeguard. Innovation can move us forward, but eliminating jobs does not make something a good deal for our city,” said City Council Vice President Jamal Osman (Ward 6).
 
“Thousands of rideshare drivers are facing losing their jobs to automation. Big tech companies don’t care how many families are evicted or go hungry as long as their shareholders profit. Workers Drive Minneapolis is exactly the kind of leadership that workers need from local elected officials,” said Eid Ali, President of the Minnesota Uber Lyft Drivers Association (MULDA). 
 
“As a driver, I have helped passengers who are intoxicated get home safely, helped elderly passengers with groceries, listened to passengers who are sad and helped make their days better. Robotaxis can’t do those things. Having humans in the driver’s seat isn’t just more safe, it’s good for our community,” said Abdullahi Abshair, a member of the SEIU Local 26 Rideshare Driver Organizing Committee who has been a rideshare driver for three years. 
 
The City Council has set a public hearing on the ordinance for Sept. 22 and 29, with a potential vote on the ordinance on Oct. 1, 2026. 
 
Labor and community groups supporting the ordinance include the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005, Minnesota Uber Lyft Drivers Association, Our Streets, Service Employees International Union Local Local 26, and Teamsters Joint Council 32.