NHTSA Launches Probe Into Tesla Cybercab as Austin Rides Begin

Tesla started offering rides to the public in its two-seater Cybercab in Austin, Texas, this evening even as federal regulators opened an investigation into the vehicle.

The Cybercab lacks traditional controls. The distinctive robotaxi has neither a steering wheel nor brake pedals. It will operate on the company’s Robotaxi ride-hail network, which is currently active in a handful of cities in Texas and Florida.

Hundreds of fans received invitations to downtown Austin for rides in the driverless vehicles only hours before the probe was disclosed.

NHTSA is auditing Tesla's compliance determination. The agency will review the data and process the automaker relied on to assert that its vehicles already satisfy all current federal safety standards. Tesla has maintained it does not require an exemption, in contrast to other companies developing similarly shaped robotaxis.

Officials described the review as an Audit Query. It arrives while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration continues revising eight vehicle standards to accelerate deployment of autonomous cars, including requirements for components such as brake pedals, windshield wipers and rearview mirrors that self-driving models do not use. Existing rules from years ago still govern operations in the interim.

Zoox received the first exemption this summer. Amazon’s Zoox subsidiary, whose vehicles also omit steering wheels and manual controls, secured the initial exemption. The approval caps its fleet at 2,500 vehicles for the remainder of this year.

NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison said in a statement that his agency “fully supports the safe development and deployment of automated vehicles. But as the federal regulator, we need to ensure that all of our laws are followed.” Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Such investigations can lead to penalties or oversight. The agency holds authority to mandate design or procedural changes and may impose civil penalties. Volvo Group North America paid $130 million in penalties in 2023 following a probe of its recall process. The company also accepted three years of monitoring by an independent auditor.

A state database indicates that 45 Cybercabs are currently part of Tesla’s Texas fleet.