Tesla Starts Testing Robotaxi Service in California with Hurdles

• Tesla has begun testing its robotaxi service in California.
• The company is facing challenges due to the lack of necessary permits.
• DMV is monitoring the evolution of automated driving functions.

Tesla has started limited testing of its taxi service in the San Francisco Bay Area. The first demonstration showed that the vehicle operates on a similar software system as in Austin, Texas, with a driver present behind the wheel. The driver does not control the vehicle, as the system autonomously executes maneuvers, including picking up and dropping off passengers.

However, such an automated service may violate the complex nuances of California regulations regarding driverless vehicles. Tesla is utilizing an exception in California legislation that does not encompass "driverless vehicle permits," known as "Level 2". To operate a taxi service based on driverless vehicles, it is necessary to obtain eight different permits, of which Tesla currently has only two.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) previously halted testing of Uber due to similar violations. While Tesla asserts that its "Full Self-Driving" (FSD) system is a cutting-edge technology, the DMV continues to monitor the development of automated driving functions.

In September 2025, Tesla plans to expand its service in California, but without the necessary permits, this will be complicated. The company has already held several meetings with DMV officials but has not received permission for the full deployment of its robotaxi service.

In the meantime, Tesla intends to launch a testing service with a driver in the front seat, which will functionally be analogous to the currently available partial automation systems in Tesla vehicles. In California, regulators criticize the company for attempting to circumvent the rules, emphasizing the necessity of adhering to regulations.

Tags: USA/Technology/Automotive