The California Department of Transportation made it clear on Friday thatTeslaCompanies are not allowed to use self-driving vehicles in the state to test or carry passengers to the public — with or without a fee, and with or without a safety driver on board.
California Department of Transportation officials added that according to the terms of the existing franchise license, Tesla’s planned charter transportation project is limited to company employees, relatives and friends, and a small number of invited guests. This decision essentially halted Tesla's internal memo that had planned to launch a large-scale Robotaxi service in the Bay Area as early as this weekend.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles confirmed that the electric vehicle maker has not yet applied for the permits needed for commercial autonomous vehicle deployment, while the Public Utilities Commission has so far only approved employee shuttle service. Tesla, which launched its Robotaxi trial operation in Austin last month, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.