A group of Texas legislators has formally requested that Tesla delay the launch of its robotaxi service, originally planned for June 22, 2025, in Austin. The lawmakers expressed concerns about the timing of the rollout, citing the upcoming implementation of a revised state law governing autonomous vehicles. This updated legislation, which takes effect on September 1, 2025, requires commercial self-driving vehicle operators to obtain specific authorization from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles before operating without a human driver on public roads.
Texas Law Demands Strict Safety, Compliance, and Emergency Plans for Autonomous Vehicle Approval
The revised framework outlines several conditions that Tesla—and any other operator—must meet to gain approval. Vehicles must comply with state traffic laws, include recording devices, meet federal motor vehicle safety standards, and be able to default to a “minimal risk condition” if the autonomous system fails. In addition, they must be registered, titled, and insured under Texas law. These provisions are meant to ensure a higher standard of public safety and accountability for autonomous vehicle operations.
Texas Lawmakers Push Tesla to Delay Robotaxi Launch Amid New Safety Rules and Federal ScrutinyAnother critical element of the new legislation is the First Responder Interaction Plan, which companies must submit to the Texas Department of Public Safety. This plan must cover procedures for how emergency personnel can interact with the vehicles, communicate with fleet operators, and manage vehicle removal during hazardous conditions. Lawmakers emphasized that these measures are essential to mitigate potential public safety risks associated with autonomous vehicles.
Tesla Moves Forward with Robotaxi Launch Amid Growing State and Federal Regulatory Pressure
Despite the lawmakers’ appeal, Tesla appears to be moving forward with its plans. CEO Elon Musk shared that Tesla is already testing driverless Model Y vehicles on Austin streets and intends to start small, launching the service with just 10 vehicles, then gradually increasing the fleet.
The company has already made the service available to select employees in Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area, as confirmed by a video from Tesla’s AI division in April. Lawmakers are now asking Tesla to clarify how it will comply with the new law if it proceeds with the launch before September.
In addition to state-level concerns, Tesla is under federal scrutiny. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sent a letter in May asking Tesla to explain how it plans to ensure the safe operation of its robotaxi service. The agency raised questions about crash reporting, traffic law compliance, and vehicle performance in adverse weather conditions—areas where Tesla’s driver-assistance software has previously come under fire.
NHTSA gave Tesla until June 19 to respond, and the investigation remains open. Both federal and state agencies now await Tesla’s explanation, as public and regulatory pressure mounts ahead of the planned robotaxi launch.
