- Tesla applied to test and operate autonomous vehicles in the Phoenix metro area.
- The application includes both driver-assisted and driverless operations.
- Arizona’s self-certification process offers a faster path than California’s stricter regulations.
- Tesla must still secure a Transportation Network Company (TNC) permit to charge for rides.
Tesla is looking to expand its autonomous vehicle operations beyond Texas, setting its sights on Arizona as the next destination for its growing robotaxi service. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) confirmed that Tesla has officially applied to test and operate self-driving vehicles in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
According to a spokesperson from ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), Tesla initiated contact with the department on June 26, seeking to begin the required certification process. The application covers both autonomous testing with a human safety driver and driverless operations. A final decision is expected by the end of the month.
This move follows the limited launch of Tesla’s robotaxi service in South Austin in June, which is currently available by invitation only. Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently posted on social media that the company plans to broaden service coverage in Austin and is awaiting regulatory clearance to begin operations in the Bay Area, which he hopes to achieve in the coming months.
A public records request reveal that Casey Blaine, Tesla’s senior regulatory counsel, is leading the initiative. Blaine has already conducted a virtual meeting with both ADOT and the Arizona Commerce Authority and has requested introductions to local government and law enforcement in Maricopa County in anticipation of a future rollout.
While these discussions remain in the early stages, Arizona could offer a more streamlined regulatory environment compared to other states where Tesla is pursuing robotaxi deployment.
Unlike California’s layered permitting system, which includes approvals from both the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Public Utilities Commission, Arizona requires companies to complete a self-certification process to test autonomous vehicles with or without a driver.
However, receiving testing certification alone does not permit Tesla to charge for rides. Any company planning to operate a ride-hailing or robotaxi service in Arizona must obtain a Transportation Network Company (TNC) permit.
Alphabet’s Waymo, one of Tesla’s key competitors in the AV space, already operates a fully driverless robotaxi network across roughly 315 square miles in the Phoenix metro area, including downtown Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler, parts of Mesa, and access to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Waymo also holds both AV and TNC permits in Arizona, and it has recently begun offering services to teens, with parental approval, in the region.
In California, Tesla has held a permit since 2014 to test autonomous vehicles with safety drivers on public roads. However, according to the California DMV, the company has not yet applied for the necessary permits to conduct driverless testing or launch a commercial robotaxi service.
With regulatory frameworks varying widely across states, Tesla’s robotaxi expansion plans will need to carefully navigate local laws. Arizona’s more accessible certification process could provide a quicker path to deployment, positioning the state as a strategic hub for Tesla’s autonomous ambitions.
Follow TechBSB For More Updates
