Tesla's Bay Area Employees-only 'Robotaxi' Rollout in Bay Area Has Human Driver
Briefly

Tesla has announced the launch of its robotaxi service in the Bay Area. However, the company does not have the required permits from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) or the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to operate autonomous vehicles. State officials clarified that Tesla has not applied for the required passenger service approval. Meanwhile, Tesla's traditional taxi service permit prohibits autonomous operations, meaning employees will need to sit in the vehicles. The DMV and CPUC require specific permits, safety protocols, insurance, and data sharing for robotaxi services.
Tesla's announced launch of robotaxis in the Bay Area was made without the necessary permits from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) or the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The CPUC confirmed that no application for such service has been submitted by Tesla. Additionally, the DMV highlighted that Tesla's existing permit does not cover commercial passenger transport, leaving the company in a precarious legal situation. With ongoing hearings on whether to suspend Tesla's licenses, the regulatory environment poses significant challenges for the company.
Senator Scott Wiener has warned that if Tesla deploys autonomous vehicles in San Francisco without the necessary permits, those vehicles should be seized. This statement underscores the serious legal ramifications Tesla may face as it pushes forward with its plans, despite lacking regulatory approval. The scrutiny from state officials indicates a strong stance against unauthorized operations in the ride-sharing landscape.
Read at San Jose Inside
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