Tesla plans to launch its Robotaxi service in the San Francisco Bay Area this weekend, according to an internal memo. The service will operate within a large geofenced area that includes Marin, East Bay, and parts of San Jose. A safety monitor will be present in the driver’s seat with full access to the brake and steering wheel.
However, California’s DMV has stated that Tesla has not secured a permit for driverless testing, contradicting Elon Musk’s claim during the company’s quarterly earnings call. The agency does not require a permit for Tesla’s commercial robotaxi service, but it must transport members of the public in a non-AV vehicle with a driver.
Tesla launched its Robotaxi service in Austin last month and currently has safety monitors that sit in the passenger seat of the vehicle. The company plans to expand its service globally, with regulatory approval underway in Florida and Arizona.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-robotaxi-bay-area-launch-san-francisco-memo-2025-7