5% of Americans say they’ve ridden in a driverless car

A Pew Research Center survey conducted in February 2026 reveals that only 5% of U.S. adults have ever ridden in a driverless car, while more than 90% have no first-hand experience with the technology. The study highlights a significant trust gap, with 71% of Americans reporting they would be uncomfortable riding in an autonomous vehicle. This widespread skepticism across all demographic groups presents a major challenge for the autonomous vehicle sector as it seeks to scale operations and gain public acceptance.

The Pew Research Center survey, led by research associate William Bishop, collected data from 5,119 U.S. adults between February 17 and 23, 2026, to gauge public interaction with artificial intelligence-driven transportation. The findings show that despite the presence of vehicles from companies like Waymo on public roads, riding in one remains a rare experience for the vast majority of the population. Beyond the lack of experience, the survey found that 43% of Americans are "not at all comfortable" with the idea of riding in a driverless car, and only 7% would feel "extremely or very comfortable" doing so.

A critical insight from the research is the relationship between exposure and comfort; individuals who have actually ridden in a driverless car are significantly more likely to trust the technology. Specifically, 40% of those with prior experience reported feeling extremely or very comfortable with autonomous rides, compared to just 5% of those who have never been in one. This suggests that while initial resistance is high, the industry may see shifts in sentiment as more consumers gain direct access to these vehicles.

The report notes that this discomfort is not a new phenomenon and is consistent across various age groups, household income levels, and geographic regions. A previous 2021 survey by the Center similarly found that Americans were generally pessimistic about the societal impact of widespread driverless car use. As autonomous vehicles continue to utilize cameras and sensors to navigate traffic, the sector must contend with the fact that 71% of the public remains "not too" or "not at all" comfortable with the technology, reflecting a persistent hurdle for market expansion.