Tesla Broadens its Autonomous Vehicle Testing with a San Francisco Launch
Why the New Cars Still Aren’t Official Robotaxis
Missing Operating Permit: Tesla’s latest Model 3 and Model Y vehicles have entered San Francisco traffic, yet they lack the formal license that would allow them to collect fares from the public.
Regulatory Safeguards: California’s Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requires a full‑time safety driver to remain seated at all times while a Tesla participates in its pilot program.
Free‑Test Phase: The program must operate “without passenger charges” during its initial trial period before Tesla can pursue a fully autonomous service permit.
Comparison to the Austin Experience
Austin’s Leading Edge: Two weeks earlier, the same models were deployed in Austin, Texas, where Tesla secured the necessary permits. Those vehicles were visibly marked with the “robotaxi” name on their side panels.
Safety Monitor Placement: In Austin, a safety monitor sits in the front passenger seat, while the driver’s seat remains unoccupied.
First‑Mover Advantage: Tesla’s Texas rollout gave it a head start, but the state’s looser regulatory environment contrasted sharply with California’s stricter rules.
Future State‑Wide Ambitions
Planned Expansions: Elon Musk has indicated that Tesla aims to secure approvals not only in California but also in Nevada, Arizona, and Florida.
Strategic Testing: Even with a permit deficit, the San Francisco deployment serves as a critical stepping stone, allowing Tesla to keep momentum in the autonomous‑vehicle arena while navigating prevailing legal constraints.
Pilot Participation: Tesla is inviting employees, friends, family, and a small group of public users to join the early phase, providing valuable real‑world data before the service scales further.
![New report suggests Apple’s long-delayed HomePod will arrive next year\” />:root{–wp-admin-theme-color:#007cba;–wp-admin-theme-color–rgb:0,124,186;–wp-admin-theme-color-darker-10:#006ba1;–wp-admin-theme-color-darker-10–rgb:0,107,161;–wp-admin-theme-color-darker-20:#005a87;–wp-admin-theme-color-darker-20–rgb:0,90,135;–wp-admin-border-width-focus:2px;–wp-block-synced-color:#7a00df;–wp-block-synced-color–rgb:122,0,223;–wp-bound-block-color:var(–wp-block-synced-color)}@media (min-resolution:192dpi){:root{–wp-admin-border-width-focus:1.5px}}.wp-element-button{cursor:pointer}:root{–wp–preset–font-size–normal:16px;–wp–preset–font-size–huge:42px}:root .has-very-light-gray-background-color{background-color:#eee}:root .has-very-dark-gray-background-color{background-color:#313131}:root .has-very-light-gray-color{color:#eee}:root .has-very-dark-gray-color{color:#313131}:root .has-vivid-green-cyan-to-vivid-cyan-blue-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#00d084,#0693e3)}:root .has-purple-crush-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#34e2e4,#4721fb 50%,#ab1dfe)}:root .has-hazy-dawn-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#faaca8,#dad0ec)}:root .has-subdued-olive-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fafae1,#67a671)}:root .has-atomic-cream-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fdd79a,#004a59)}:root .has-nightshade-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#330968,#31cdcf)}:root .has-midnight-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381,#2874fc)}.has-regular-font-size{font-size:1em}.has-larger-font-size{font-size:2.625em}.has-normal-font-size{font-size:var(–wp–preset–font-size–normal)}.has-huge-font-size{font-size:var(–wp–preset–font-size–huge)}.has-text-align-center{text-align:center}.has-text-align-left{text-align:left}.has-text-align-right{text-align:right}#end-resizable-editor-section{display:none}.aligncenter{clear:both}.items-justified-left{justify-content:flex-start}.items-justified-center{justify-content:center}.items-justified-right{justify-content:flex-end}.items-justified-space-between{justify-content:space-between}.screen-reader-text{border:0;clip-path:inset(50%);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px;word-wrap:normal!important}.screen-reader-text:focus{background-color:#ddd;clip-path:none;color:#444;display:block;font-size:1em;height:auto;left:5px;line-height:normal;padding:15px 23px 14px;text-decoration:none;top:5px;width:auto;z-index:100000}html :where(.has-border-color){border-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-top-color]){border-top-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-right-color]){border-right-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-bottom-color]){border-bottom-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-left-color]){border-left-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-width]){border-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-top-width]){border-top-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-right-width]){border-right-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-bottom-width]){border-bottom-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-left-width]){border-left-style:solid}html :where(img[class*=wp-image-]){height:auto;max-width:100%}:where(figure){margin:0 0 1em}html :where(.is-position-sticky){–wp-admin–admin-bar–position-offset:var(–wp-admin–admin-bar–height,0px)}@media screen and (max-width:600px){html :where(.is-position-sticky){–wp-admin–admin-bar–position-offset:0px}}/*! This file is auto-generated */.wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none}](https://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/homepod-with-display-mockup.jpg "New report suggests Apple’s long-delayed HomePod will arrive next year\” />:root{–wp-admin-theme-color:#007cba;–wp-admin-theme-color–rgb:0,124,186;–wp-admin-theme-color-darker-10:#006ba1;–wp-admin-theme-color-darker-10–rgb:0,107,161;–wp-admin-theme-color-darker-20:#005a87;–wp-admin-theme-color-darker-20–rgb:0,90,135;–wp-admin-border-width-focus:2px;–wp-block-synced-color:#7a00df;–wp-block-synced-color–rgb:122,0,223;–wp-bound-block-color:var(–wp-block-synced-color)}@media (min-resolution:192dpi){:root{–wp-admin-border-width-focus:1.5px}}.wp-element-button{cursor:pointer}:root{–wp–preset–font-size–normal:16px;–wp–preset–font-size–huge:42px}:root .has-very-light-gray-background-color{background-color:#eee}:root .has-very-dark-gray-background-color{background-color:#313131}:root .has-very-light-gray-color{color:#eee}:root .has-very-dark-gray-color{color:#313131}:root .has-vivid-green-cyan-to-vivid-cyan-blue-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#00d084,#0693e3)}:root .has-purple-crush-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#34e2e4,#4721fb 50%,#ab1dfe)}:root .has-hazy-dawn-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#faaca8,#dad0ec)}:root .has-subdued-olive-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fafae1,#67a671)}:root .has-atomic-cream-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fdd79a,#004a59)}:root .has-nightshade-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#330968,#31cdcf)}:root .has-midnight-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381,#2874fc)}.has-regular-font-size{font-size:1em}.has-larger-font-size{font-size:2.625em}.has-normal-font-size{font-size:var(–wp–preset–font-size–normal)}.has-huge-font-size{font-size:var(–wp–preset–font-size–huge)}.has-text-align-center{text-align:center}.has-text-align-left{text-align:left}.has-text-align-right{text-align:right}#end-resizable-editor-section{display:none}.aligncenter{clear:both}.items-justified-left{justify-content:flex-start}.items-justified-center{justify-content:center}.items-justified-right{justify-content:flex-end}.items-justified-space-between{justify-content:space-between}.screen-reader-text{border:0;clip-path:inset(50%);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px;word-wrap:normal!important}.screen-reader-text:focus{background-color:#ddd;clip-path:none;color:#444;display:block;font-size:1em;height:auto;left:5px;line-height:normal;padding:15px 23px 14px;text-decoration:none;top:5px;width:auto;z-index:100000}html :where(.has-border-color){border-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-top-color]){border-top-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-right-color]){border-right-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-bottom-color]){border-bottom-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-left-color]){border-left-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-width]){border-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-top-width]){border-top-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-right-width]){border-right-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-bottom-width]){border-bottom-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-left-width]){border-left-style:solid}html :where(img[class*=wp-image-]){height:auto;max-width:100%}:where(figure){margin:0 0 1em}html :where(.is-position-sticky){–wp-admin–admin-bar–position-offset:var(–wp-admin–admin-bar–height,0px)}@media screen and (max-width:600px){html :where(.is-position-sticky){–wp-admin–admin-bar–position-offset:0px}}/*! This file is auto-generated */.wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none}")