Tesla has secured a preliminary license to offer self-driving taxi services in California. According to Reuters, the company has been granted a Transportation Charter Party Carrier Permit (TCP) by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), marking a significant step towards operating autonomous taxi services. This permit enables Tesla to own and manage a fleet of vehicles, as well as arrange pre-arranged travel services. Nonetheless, the CPUC has emphasized that this permit alone does not authorize Tesla to provide self-driving ride services or operate ride-hailing services for the general public.

Before Tesla can officially launch its self-driving taxi services in California, it must obtain additional permits from other relevant agencies, including the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Thus, despite this initial achievement, Tesla still faces regulatory hurdles before it can begin operations.