US Opens New Probe Into Waymo School Bus Violations

The agency’s Office of Defects Investigation opened the recall query in a November 6 filing, nearly a year after Waymo updated its self-driving software and issued a recall over reports that its vehicles passed buses with flashing red lights. Reuters first reported the filing.

Waymo said last year that the update had been completed for all affected vehicles on November 17, 2025. But the NHTSA filing said most of the reported incidents occurred after that deployment. The review will “assess the adequacy of the remedy,” the agency said.

ODI began its initial investigation in October 2025 after footage showed a Waymo vehicle maneuvering around a stopped school bus in Atlanta. The bus had its stop sign extended, its lights flashing and was unloading children. The robotaxi crossed in front of the bus from its right side, turned left around its front and continued down the street.

Further incidents were reported in Austin, where Waymo also operates. Austin Independent School District officials cited at least five cases in a letter filed with NHTSA. TechCrunch said it had asked Waymo and district officials for comment and would update its article if they responded.