Business Desk 
Mar 19, 2025
In another step closer to running a full-fledged fleet of autonomous robotaxis, Tesla has been granted one of the permits it needed to operate its robotaxis service in California.
Fulfilling the electric vehicle (EV) maker's much-awaited promise of robotaxis in the US, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved Tesla's application for a transportation charter-party carrier permit (TCP).
TCP is a license typically linked to chauffeur-operated services, allowing Tesla to possess and operate a fleet of vehicles to offer pre-arranged trips. As per CPUC, Tesla applied for the TCP permit, and no other permits, in November 2024.
The TCP license is mandatory before being granted another license to run autonomous ride-hailing services in California, but here's a catch in the case of Tesla: this permit "does not authorise them to provide rides" in driverless cars, and neither to offer ride-hailing services, as reported by Reuters, citing a company spokesperson.
Low Tesla sales have reportedly driven Elon Musk towards the driverless ride-hailing service, promising the service in California and Texas for the public this year.
The Musk-owned EV maker showcased the Cybercab, a prototype of the Tesla robotaxi, having no steering wheel or control pedals.
