This is how much you'll be charged if you throw up in a Tesla Robotaxi and how it compares to the competition
Published on Dec 31, 2025 at 3:12 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Dec 31, 2025 at 4:30 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Ever wondered how much you’ll be charged if you throw up in the back of a Tesla Robotaxi?
Probably not, but we’ve got the answer anyway.
Between the eagerly anticipated launch of the Tesla Robotaxi and Waymo expanding into more cities than ever, it’s been a big year for autonomous taxi services in the US.
And while they’re becoming more common, it’s important to remember that they come with some rules, such as keeping them clean.
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Being sick in a Tesla Robotaxi could hit you hard in the wallet
For now, Tesla Robotaxis operate with a safety driver onboard, although this is something the company is working hard on removing with occupant-free vehicles taking part in tests.
And it seems that’s not the only big change to Tesla Robotaxis lately, as the company has also introduced a new system for tackling cleaning up after customers.
According to Tesla influencer Sawyer Merritt, the company is now rolling out a two-tiered cleaning fee to deal with less-than-pleasant messes.
In a post on X, Merritt said the first tier was for things like ‘food spills, significant dirt, and minor stains,’ and could see you hit with a $50 charge.
However, for more serious messes, like ‘biowaste’ (which includes throwing up and… well, we’ll leave the rest to your imagination) and ‘smoking in the vehicle’, you could be facing a $150 fee.
In a statement from Tesla shared by Merritt, the company said it would ‘assess the type and severity of mess and apply the appropriate fee’.
The rider will then be sent an email telling them that additional cleaning was required after their trip, alongside an updated receipt.
If the rider thinks the fee has been added in error, they can contact customer service to contest it.
In its Robotaxi Rider Rules, the company simply states: “At Tesla’s discretion, you may be charged an additional fee for dirtying or damaging the vehicle.”
How does that fee compare to what Waymo or Zoox charge?
Waymo, which has been operating for longer than Tesla’s Robotaxi service, has a similar system in place.
According to its rules, if you self-report a mess during your trip, you’ll be charged an additional $50.
For those who don’t report it, you’ll be hit with a $100 fee for the first violation, but subsequent messes could come with a fee ‘up to the cost of cleaning’ and may also have a negative impact on your account.
Waymo also issues a set $100 for those smoking inside one of its cars.
Meanwhile, Zoox doesn’t have a set fee for mess-makers, but its rules state the company ‘reserves the right to charge cleaning and repair fees’ should riders not leave the vehicle as clean as they found it.
In short: keep it clean, and you’ll be fine.
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Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
