However, the road tests don’t necessarily indicate that commercial services are being imminently planned in these locations. So citizens of San Diego and Las Vegas — and the eight other locations — may spot a Waymo touring their cities this year, but they won't be able to hop in for a ride anytime soon.

A more favorable federal regulatory and legislative environment may help propel the growth of driverless ride-hailing vehicles in the United States.

Alphabet-owned Waymo plans to test its autonomous taxis in cities including Las Vegas and San Diego this year.