Tesla is making moves to launch their robotaxi business in California, as the company has applied for a transportation charter-party carrier permit with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
The application, first reported by Bloomberg, reportedly includes details about driver’s license requirements and drug testing protocols, suggesting that Tesla will operate with human drivers before transitioning to a driverless fleet. Additionally, Tesla’s proposed model would see the company owning and operating the fleet, potentially allowing for greater control over pricing, maintenance, and overall service quality, aligning with the direction the company has previously said they would with their robotaxi service.
This approach mirrors that of other players in the self-driving space like Waymo, which also started operations with safety drivers before expanding into full autonomy. While Tesla has approval to test self-driving vehicles with a safety driver in California, the company has not yet obtained regulatory approval for driverless operations in California, which has some of the strictest self-driving regulations in the U.S.
While California could present some regulatory challenges, Tesla’s path to launching a driverless fleet may be smoother in Texas. Unlike California, Texas regulates autonomous vehicles similarly to conventional ones, meaning Tesla could potentially roll out robotaxis without extensive permitting delays. Tesla has said they are targeting a ride-hailing launch in Austin by mid-2025, with plans to expand in California by the end of the year.
As previously reported, Tesla has been in talks with officials from the city of Austin since May 2024, aiming to establish safety guidelines and train first responders on how to interact with its autonomous vehicles. However, the company has not yet applied for a ride-share license with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, a required step before they could launch their service in June.
