Quite recently on 31st July 2025, Tesla announced that they have launched their new ride-hailing pilot across the San Francisco Bay Area. This proves that the long-promised robotaxi future by Tesla has finally taken its initial steps. But here’s the catch: The vehicles aren’t autonomous yet; rather, these cars have a human driver behind the wheel, operating under the company’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system.
The entire autonomous system is being closely assessed by regulators and industry specialists in order to make sure that Tesla can deliver its vision of a self-driving ride-hailing network.
Tesla’s Ride-Hailing Service Begins with Human Drivers Still in Control
In comparison to how “robotaxis” are often viewed, Tesla’s current ride-hailing experience looks exactly like a traditional chauffeur service. Despite the company using its Full Self-Driving Tesla (FSD) software, each vehicle still has a licensed driver actively operating the car.
According to Reuters, the reason behind this is that the pilot is being supervised under the authority of California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) TCP permit, which legally requires a human to be behind the wheel. All of these precautions make the “robotaxi” very much a chauffeur-driven vehicle.
California Regulations Prevent Full Autonomy for Now
As of right now, Tesla’s current pilot varies from true autonomous services. This is due to the lack of required permits the company holds, in order to run driverless services.
While Tesla is able to provide chauffeur-based rides for hire due to having a TCP (Transportation Charter Permit), it still has no autonomous deployment permit issued by California’s DMV or CPUC.
Tesla has been falling short in meeting or applying for the strict rules enforced by the regulatory bodies on safety, reporting, and performance. This means that while Tesla has advanced in its capabilities and features, the cars still require a human in the driver’s seat, ready to take full control.
MarketWatch states that the label “robotaxi” could be more of a marketing term rather than a technical reality.
The Austin Pilot Pushed Further Toward Autonomy
Earlier in June, Tesla trialled a similar ride service in Austin, Texas, where the company was able to experiment more due to the relaxed local regulations. That pilot created a more semi-autonomous experience with fewer restrictions as the vehicles had safety monitors in the front passenger seat.
The only difference between the current ride hailing service that requires humans in the driver seat and the service trialled in June, as mentioned earlier, lies in the legal frameworks.
While Texas is more easy-going with its testing protocols, California is stricter and much clearer in its regulatory compliance. As explored further in this related blog post, San Francisco’s version may be more cautious, but it plays an important role in setting the stage for Tesla’s wider expansion efforts.
Elon Musk’s Nationwide Robotaxi Goals Are Still in Sight
Regardless of the limitations Tesla is facing for its ride-hailing service, Elon Musk is set on remaining committed to scaling Tesla’s robotaxi programme. His aim is to make ride-hailing service available in half of the U.S. by the end of 2025, with plans to put an end to human drivers as regulatory frameworks continue to evolve.
If the scheme turns out to be successful, then Tesla will completely transform the autonomous vehicle landscape, reducing the constant dependence on third-party apps and competitors such as Uber, Waymo, and Cruise.
However, despite all of this, the real test for Tesla will be whether or not they will be able to win over regulators and deliver consistent and safe performance across a large-scale deployment.
Would You Feel Safe in a Driverless Tesla?
With Tesla launching its new chauffeur-driven robotaxi, it feels like less of a grand unveiling and more like a slow reveal of what’s to come in the near future. It seems as though the full-scale robotaxi service will remain as a promise for the time being, until any proper permits are granted to operate these cars without the need for any human in the driver seat.
But with Elon Musk pushing forward, it is possible that California laws may give them the permits, but it’s too soon to say that. If this does happen and Tesla ends up securing the right approvals, then the roads of tomorrow could look very different.
So, what about you then? Would you trust a Tesla with no one behind the wheel? Or is human control still essential for peace of mind?
