Tesla Ride-Hailing Limited to Human Drivers in California

Tesla has launched a ride-hailing service in the San Francisco Bay Area, but due to California regulations, it is limited to vehicles operated by human drivers and cannot charge fares for autonomous rides. The California Public Utilities Commission confirmed that Tesla does not have the necessary permits to test or transport the public in self-driving cars, even with a safety driver. Tesla's current operations are conducted under a charter permit, allowing only non-autonomous rides while the company seeks further regulatory approval. Elon Musk has outlined ambitious plans to expand robotaxi services across the U.S., but regulatory barriers in California may delay these efforts. The rollout in California is similar to Tesla's service in Austin, Texas, which also faces operational limitations. Tesla's efforts highlight ongoing challenges in advancing autonomous ride-hailing amid evolving regulatory requirements.