Tesla has applied for a permit typically associated with chauffeur-operated services, according to California regulators, marking the first phase of a series of regulatory approvals required for the electric car maker to eventually launch a promised robotaxi service.

Tesla has taken an important step towards putting a tobotaxi service on American streets. The company applied for a charter-party carrier permit in late 2024, news reports say. Musk unveiled the Cybercab last year,

Tesla applied for a permit with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to operate a transportation service in the state — a required first step