Yes, in some cases. Published responder plans describe ways to stop, immobilize, disable, manually move, or tow certain robotaxis—but the steps differ by operator and vehicle model. Responders should identify the exact vehicle, consult its current first-responder guide, contact operator support, and confirm the vehicle is safe to approach before acting. A car that appears stopped is not necessarily safely immobilized.
What responders should do first
Robotaxi controls are not standardized. Tesla publishes separate plans for Cybercab and Model Y, while Waymo’s guides cover particular vehicles and operating areas. Do not transfer a procedure from one model to another.
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- Identify the operator and vehicle. Use markings or other available vehicle information to find the exact model and operator.
- Find the current, vehicle-specific responder guide. Procedures and warnings can change; use the version for the vehicle at the scene.
- Contact operator support. Explain the incident and ask for instructions to keep the vehicle stopped, disable autonomous operation, or move it.
- Establish that it is safe to approach. Follow the guide’s immobilization and electrical-safety instructions. Do not treat inactivity or a visual indicator alone as proof that autonomous mode is off.
- Move or tow only under the applicable procedure. If operator-assisted or authorized responder control is unavailable, follow the vehicle’s stabilization, lifting, and towing guidance.
There is no single U.S.-wide legal rule established by the sources here for when responders in every jurisdiction may take manual control or forcibly move a robotaxi. Applicable local law and agency policy govern a specific incident.
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| Vehicle and guide | Responder contact and stopping | Disabling or moving | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waymo Ojai, June 2026 guide | Waymo describes remote assistance, event response, and roadside assistance. Event Response staff can communicate with responders and confirm that the vehicle will remain stopped. | Event Response can instruct responders on disengaging the system, disconnecting power, or taking manual control. Roadside assistance can come to the scene and move the vehicle. | The guide says the vehicle can roll or move regardless of autonomous-driving state. It recommends standard precautions such as wheel chocks. These instructions apply to the Ojai guide’s vehicle, not automatically to other Waymo models. Waymo first-responder resources |
| Waymo Jaguar I-PACE, October 2023 guide | The guide gives a 24-hour emergency responder hotline: 1-877-503-0840. A 2024 Culver City Police Department training bulletin says responders can call that number or activate an in-vehicle call with the steering-wheel disengage button. | According to the bulletin, responders identify themselves and request authorization for manual mode; once autonomous mode is disabled, the vehicle can be moved out of the roadway. | This is model- and date-specific. Use the current guide for the vehicle at the scene. Waymo first-responder resources |
| Tesla Cybercab, plan version 1.2, September 3, 2026 | The plan lists 24-hour Tesla Robotaxi First Responder Support at (844) 837-5255. It describes using emergency lights and sirens to initiate a stop, then contacting support and confirming the vehicle’s state when possible. | Responders can request remote help and, if needed, verified access to vehicle controls. Tesla verifies the responder, who must be in uniform and ready to show a badge or official identification to a vehicle camera. If control access cannot move the vehicle, the plan points to standard stabilization, lifting, or towing procedures. | The plan warns that lack of movement or a visual indication does not establish that autonomous mode is off. It says to approach cautiously until the vehicle is fully shut off and a Tesla representative gives the all-clear. After airbag deployment, it says not to move the Cybercab on its wheels or allow wheel spin. Tesla first-responder resources |
| Tesla Model Y Robotaxi, plan version 1.5, September 3, 2026 | The plan lists the same 24-hour Tesla Robotaxi First Responder Support number and describes using emergency lights and sirens to initiate a stop, then contacting support and confirming the vehicle’s state when possible. | Responders can request remote help and, if needed, verified responder access to vehicle controls. If the vehicle cannot be moved that way, the plan points to vehicle-specific stabilization, lifting, or towing procedures. | Follow the Model Y plan’s own instructions and warnings; do not substitute the Cybercab procedure. Tesla first-responder resources |
Tesla’s Cybercab plan also says responders can request geofencing around a road closure or emergency. Version 1.2 describes a temporary geofence within 1,000 feet for approximately one hour unless another duration is requested. That service does not clear a vehicle already blocking the road.
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Why a stopped robotaxi may still need to be secured
Waymo’s Ojai guide says its vehicle can roll or move regardless of autonomous-driving state, and advises wheel chocks as a standard precaution. The guide also says opening a door prevents autonomous driving, but provides model-specific instructions for disengaging autonomous mode and using the parking brake; responders should follow the full current guide rather than rely on one action alone. Waymo first-responder resources
Tesla’s Cybercab plan gives a parallel warning: lack of movement or a visual indication of autonomous mode does not mean the mode is off. It directs responders to approach cautiously until the vehicle is fully shut off and a Tesla representative gives the all-clear. High-voltage, airbag, and wheel-movement warnings are vehicle-specific, so consult the plan before attempting to move or tow the car. Tesla first-responder resources
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What to expect if the vehicle blocks an emergency scene
Operator procedures describe intended support, not a guarantee that a robotaxi will yield or respond correctly in every emergency. On July 8, 2026, NHTSA said it had documented driverless vehicles entering active emergency scenes, blocking ambulances and firefighters, or failing to recognize lights, flares, smoke, fire, or cones. The agency urged developers and operators to address the problem. NHTSA’s July 8, 2026 call to action
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The U.S. DOJ COPS Office’s September 2025 summary of responder guidance highlights the need to identify automated-driving-system vehicles quickly, know how to signal them to stop and ensure they remain stationary, and obtain ownership information. It notes that responders may encounter them while attending emergencies, directing traffic, securing scenes, or extricating occupants. DOJ COPS Office
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Waymo says it has conducted in-person training for more than 35,000 first responders at over 150 agencies, a company-reported figure checked October 4, 2026; it is not an independent evaluation of training effectiveness. The COPS Office summary says an early-2025 white paper by COPS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute drew on a survey of 378 law-enforcement and first-responder agency members, along with focus groups and subject-matter-expert interviews. Waymo first-responder resources DOJ COPS Office
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