The rules behind the map
A vehicle with no steering wheel is not a shape the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards were written around. Two different routes have emerged for dealing with that, and the difference between them is the most important thing on this site.
Last checked 18 October 2026
| Jurisdiction | Status | What is happening |
|---|---|---|
| United States, federal | Two live actions | NHTSA opened Audit Query AQ26002 on 3 September 2026, the day Tesla began commercial Cybercab service in Austin, examining the basis on which Tesla self-certified a vehicle with no pedals, no steering wheel and no mirrors as meeting all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Separately, NHTSA granted Zoox the first Part 555 commercial exemption for a purpose-built robotaxi, which is the route a vehicle like this is meant to take. Those two paths, self-certification under audit and a granted exemption, are the substance of the federal picture. NHTSA |
| Texas | Operating | Commercially operated automated vehicles need a permit under SB 2807, in force since 2025. Texas DMV registrations are public, which is why Texas is the only state where fleet counts can be checked independently. Waymo had 1,102 vehicles registered on 24 September; Tesla had 739 on 12 October. Texas AV Tracker |
| California | Split | Waymo holds the permits needed to charge for driverless rides. Tesla does not: it holds a CPUC charter-party permit covering a human-driven service, and a DMV testing permit requiring a driver present. The CPUC said in March 2026 that Tesla is not operating an autonomous vehicle service. Electrek, CPUC |
| Nevada | Approved | The Nevada Transportation Authority approved autonomous vehicle network applications for Tesla, Waymo and Aviar on 20 August 2026, covering up to 5,000 vehicles in Clark County in the first 12 months. Airport service needs separate approval. Nevada B&I |
| Arizona | Permitted | Tesla has held a ride-hailing permit since 17 November 2025, which allows charging for rides statewide. Driverless operation needs separate certification, and no confirmation of it has been found. Waymo operates commercially in Phoenix, the longest-running driverless market anywhere. TechCrunch |
| Florida | Operating, no clear permit | Waymo and Tesla both carry passengers in Miami, Orlando and Tampa. We have not found a Florida-specific state permit in any source, which is itself worth knowing: three driverless markets and no obvious licensing regime behind them. Tesla Q2 2026 filing |
Self-certification, or an exemption
A manufacturer can certify its own vehicle as meeting the standards, or it can apply for an exemption from ones it cannot meet. NHTSA is auditing the first approach as applied to the Cybercab, and has granted the first commercial exemption of its kind for Zoox's purpose-built robotaxi. Whichever route holds up will shape what every operator after them does.
What this is not
A summary for readers. Not legal advice, and not a substitute for the filings. Where a filing exists, follow the source rather than this page.