Tesla has received approval from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to begin testing autonomous vehicles on public roads, expanding its robotaxi validation program beyond California, Texas and Nevada.
ADOT confirmed on Friday that Tesla submitted the required self-certification documents outlining its testing plans. The authorization allows vehicles equipped with the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system to be tested under the supervision of safety drivers, ensuring human oversight during early trials.
The approval does not extend to operating a transportation network company or ridesharing service, which would require separate permits. For now, Tesla’s activities in Arizona will be limited to testing and validation of FSD-equipped vehicles.
Reports of Tesla vehicles undergoing testing in Phoenix surfaced earlier in the week, reinforcing expectations of an imminent program launch. The city has been a longstanding hub for autonomous vehicle research due to its favorable weather, road conditions and openness to self-driving technology companies.
Arizona becomes the latest state to authorize Tesla’s robotaxi testing after Nevada granted similar approval earlier this year.