The California authorities said that Tesla has no right to transport passengers on unmanned vehicles in this state. This was announced by the local CPUC regulator, commenting on reports of Ilon Mask’s plans to expand the work of Tesla robotaxi in the area of the San Francisco Bay.
According to CPUC, the company can provide transport services only with the driver driving. That is, Tesla can work as a regular taxi, but not as a completely autonomous service.
Also, the California vehicles on vehicles (DMV) clarified that since 2014 Tesla has a permit for testing drones, but only with the driver at the wheel and without the right to take a fee for travel. Drivers can only be employees or representatives of the company.
Previously, Tesla notified the CPUC about plans to expand the service and begin to carry those very “friends, relatives of employees and individual users” in different areas of California. However, the regulator emphasized that this is possible only on ordinary, non -autonomous cars.
