Tesla receives ride-hailing permit in Arizona in last required step to launch robotaxi service

Tesla has obtained a Transportation Network Company (TNC) permit from Arizona regulators, marking the final regulatory approval needed to launch its robotaxi service in the state. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) confirmed Tesla applied for the permit on November 13 and was approved as of November 17. This permit allows Tesla to operate a ride-hailing service that charges for rides, distinguishing it from autonomous vehicle testing permits that do not authorize commercial ride-hailing operations. Arizona, particularly the Phoenix metro area, is a key hub for autonomous vehicle testing and robotaxi services, with Waymo currently operating a large robotaxi network covering 315 square miles in the region. Tesla’s move follows its earlier efforts to test autonomous vehicles in Arizona through a self-certification process and its limited robotaxi service launches in South Austin and California. However, Tesla’s California operations currently lack the necessary commercial robotaxi permits and instead operate under a charter service model with human drivers using Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Supervised system