Tesla applies to a driving license in California — but there is an catch

Tesla applied for permission with the California Public Business Committee to take advantage of a state transfer service – a required first step if the automotive industry wishes to finally operate a robot service.

Tesla’s application for a charter carrier license Reported by Bloomberg. TechCrunch has confirmed independently with CPUC that Tesla applied for TCP license in November 2024. The license is pending and has not yet been approved.

These so -called TCP licenses are different from those owned by Lyft and Uber applications. A TCP license means that the company-in this case, Tesla-burns the vehicles and uses employees as drivers, according to the CPUC, which regulates the services that lead to humans and without driver ride services in the state.

Uber and Lyft Hold Transportation Network Company Company (TNC) allow. TNCs use an online application online, such as a smartphone app to connect drivers using their personal vehicles with the passengers they pay.

A CPUC spokesman told TechCrunch that Tesla has not applied for a TNC license. The automotive industry has not been implemented to participate in the CPUC passenger service program, the spokesman said.

This does not mean that Tesla is not promoted for a driver without a driver, however. According to the Agency, companies must have a TCP license to participate in the autonomous passenger program.

Tesla’s request to operate in California contradicts the shift of the car industry away from the state for greener regulatory pastures such as Texas.

Managing Director Elon Musk said last month during a profit call that his company will launch a paid Robotaxi service in Austin next June. The service will use Tesla-owned vehicles-not those belonging to individuals-and will use the “Supervision” version that will be released even for full self-guiding software.

Musk also revealed last October an original Cybercab designed for a designed steering wheel or pedal.