Crashing the Party

Waymo DC AP - 26079109671101

Autonomous vehicles could be permitted to operate in D.C. this fall. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP)

Good morning. This is the NOTUS Metro newsletter for Sept. 4, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free!

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A happy birthday to D.C.’s Department of For-Hire Vehicles, which celebrated turning 10 yesterday with a celebration at MLK Memorial Library. It was a joyful occasion, celebrating D.C.’s taxicab drivers with a live band, canapés and an awards ceremony.

But the party masked a sober reality. The industry faces a watershed moment, as autonomous vehicles could be permitted to operate in the city this fall.