Tesla set to initiate Robotaxi services in San Francisco as per recent reports this week.
Tesla Prepares to Launch Invite-Only Robotaxi Service in Bay Area
Tesla is set to start inviting select owners in the Bay Area to book paid Robotaxi rides as early as this Friday. However, it's important to note that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has not yet given official approval for Tesla to operate a paid robotaxi service with a human monitor in the state.
Currently, Tesla's planned robotaxi service in California is limited to operating with a human safety driver using its supervised Full Self-Driving software. This service falls under a traditional "Charter Party Carrier" permit, which allows the company to transport passengers only in traditional vehicles driven by humans and only to friends, family, or select members of the public—not for fully autonomous paid rides open broadly to the public.
Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, has mentioned that the company is working towards receiving regulatory permission to launch robotaxis in various markets, including the Bay Area. However, as of late July 2025, Tesla has only notified CPUC of plans to extend operations under existing permits, without applying for the specific autonomous vehicle (AV) permits needed to charge fares or conduct no-driver operations.
Despite the lack of official approval for a fully autonomous service, Tesla is reportedly planning to launch its Robotaxi service in San Francisco as soon as this weekend. Unlike the current Robotaxi pilot in Austin, Texas, the Bay Area launch will have Tesla Safety Monitors behind the wheel with full access to the steering wheel and brake pedal. The service area for Tesla's Robotaxi in the Bay Area will include San Francisco, Marin, the East Bay, and extend south to San Jose.
This move by Tesla could allow the company to sidestep stricter driverless testing requirements, at least initially. It's worth noting that Tesla has already doubled the service area of its Robotaxi pilot in Austin and a Robotaxi validation vehicle was recently spotted testing outside the current geofence in Austin, hinting at potential expansion.
During the Q2 earnings call, Elon Musk promised that "half the population of the U.S." will have access to the Robotaxi service by the end of the year. This ambitious plan comes as Tesla faces declining revenue and investor pressure, with shares dropping over 8% following its earnings release.
Sources:
- Tesla's Robotaxi service in California is limited to human-driven rides, despite Elon Musk's promises
- Tesla's Robotaxi service in California: What we know so far
- Tesla has not applied for or received the necessary permits to offer autonomous passenger service in California
- To accommodate its ambitious expansion plans, Tesla is reportedly seeking approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to transition from traditional 'human-driven' taxi services to autonomous 'finance'-supported robotaxis in the Bay Area, marking a significant leap in the 'technology' sector for the transportation industry.
- Despite the regulatory hurdles, Tesla continues to explore innovative methods to bypass stricter 'driverless testing requirements' initially, functioning its Robotaxi service in the Bay Area with human safety drivers, while simultaneously refining its autonomous driving software for full autonomy in the near future, revolutionizing the transportation industry and reshaping the financial landscape of ride-hailing services.
