Tesla Robotaxi Nevada: Testing Permit Approved

Tesla Gains Nevada Permit for Autonomous Vehicle Testing

Following the acquisition of a new permit from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, Tesla is now poised to initiate testing of its self-driving technology on public roads within the state. This permit, initially highlighted by Tesla enthusiast Sawyer Merritt, arrives approximately two months after CEO Elon Musk detailed the company’s strategy to broaden its autonomous vehicle initiatives beyond Austin and into several additional markets.

Expansion of Testing Locations

Musk indicated during Tesla’s second-quarter earnings call on July 23rd, an anticipated substantial expansion of the service area, exceeding that of competitors. He stated, “We are expecting to greatly increase the service area to well in excess of what competitors are doing, hopefully in a week or two.” The company was actively seeking regulatory approvals for launches in the Bay Area, Nevada, Arizona, Florida, and other locations.

Musk further projected the potential for widespread autonomous ride-hailing, stating, “As we get the approvals and prove out safety, we will be launching the autonomous ride-hailing across most of the country. I think we will probably have autonomous ride-hailing in probably half the population of the U.S. by the end of the year. That’s at least our goal, subject to regulatory approvals.”

Initial Robotaxi Service in Austin

Tesla commenced offering rides in driverless Model Y SUVs in Austin earlier this summer. This robotaxi service features a Tesla employee present in the front passenger seat. The initial service area was located in South Austin, and has since been expanded to cover a larger portion of the city.

Nevada’s Streamlined Testing Process

The process for Tesla, or any company seeking to test autonomous vehicle technology on Nevada’s public roads, is comparatively less complex than in California. Companies are required to submit a testing registry permit form, which is then evaluated by the state DMV.

Upon review, the regulatory agency issues a Certificate of Compliance for testing, along with distinctive red license plates for each vehicle included in the submission. According to Merritt, Tesla has now received this certificate.

Limitations and Further Requirements

Hailey Foster, a spokesperson for the Nevada DMV, confirmed the submission of Tesla’s Testing Registry certification on September 3rd and its subsequent processing by the Office of Business Licensing (OBL) team on Wednesday. She clarified that this approval permits Tesla to test autonomous vehicles within the state, but does not authorize the deployment of these vehicles for commercial operation.

“Tesla will still need to complete the self-certification for operations process to be able to rollout with an entire program, i.e. Robotaxi,” Foster explained via email.

Insurance and Reporting Requirements

Companies conducting AV testing on public roads are obligated to demonstrate proof of $5 million in insurance coverage, as stipulated by the agency’s regulations. Furthermore, any traffic incidents involving these vehicles must be reported to the DMV within a 10-day timeframe.

Nevada as an AV Hub

Nevada’s favorable regulatory climate has established it as a prominent center for autonomous vehicle activity. Companies like Motional and Lyft have conducted public road testing in Las Vegas for several years, and Nuro has established a dedicated closed test track within the state.

Zoox’s Presence in Las Vegas

However, it is Zoox, with its uniquely designed, cube-shaped robotaxis, that has become particularly associated with Las Vegas. This week, Zoox announced the public availability of its robotaxi service, offering free rides pending regulatory approval for fee-based operation.

Future Commercial Operations

Should Tesla aim to launch a commercial robotaxi business, additional approvals will be necessary, including authorization from the Nevada Transportation Authority to operate as an autonomous vehicle network company.

This article has been updated to include comments from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles.