Federal regulators are examining Tesla’s self-certification of the Cybercab autonomous vehicle as the company launched paid robotaxi rides in Austin, Texas on September 3, 2026. The NHTSA audit targets approximately 1,000 Cybercabs, with 45 currently registered in Texas out of a total fleet of 420 Tesla autonomous vehicles operating in the state. The core question is whether Tesla could legitimately certify a vehicle without steering wheel or pedals as compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, potentially bypassing the exemption pathway capped at 2,500 vehicles per year. The audit does not halt operations, but findings could force Tesla to issue a recall or seek formal exemptions that would cap annual production.
Source: Read the original article
