Tesla has formally applied for regulatory approval to operate autonomous ride-hailing services in California, marking a significant step toward launching a fleet of self-driving robotaxis. The move comes weeks after company executives disclosed plans to debut the service in Austin, Texas, by June.
Bloomberg first reported Tesla’s application for a “transportation charter-party carrier permit” with the California Public Utilities Commission, a requirement for companies seeking to own and operate ride-sharing fleets in the state. If granted, Tesla would receive the same permit that allows Waymo to offer driverless rides.
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Tesla has long hinted at a dedicated autonomous ride-hailing fleet, leveraging data collected from its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) Beta program.
The company’s plans put it in direct competition with established players like Uber and Waymo, which already offer autonomous vehicle services in select cities.
See also: Tesla Begins Hiring Software Engineers for Robotaxi and Optimus Teleoperations
Despite the California application, Tesla intends to launch its driverless service in Austin first. During its Q4 2024 earnings call, CEO Elon Musk stated that an initial rollout of “unsupervised full self-driving” is expected in June, with expansion to multiple U.S. cities later in the year.
The company plans to deploy the Cybercab, a vehicle first teased in October, as the flagship for its ride-hailing operations in Austin.
See also: Tesla Unveils Cybercab: A $30,000 Electric Robotaxi Set for 2026 Launch
