Key facts
- NHTSA is investigating Tesla's self-certification of its Cybercab robotaxi.
- The agency is examining whether Tesla properly certified compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
- Tesla must answer questions by September 30 regarding its certification basis.
- The audit query will assess the technical data and processes Tesla used for self-certification.
- NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison stated the agency needs to ensure all laws are followed.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an audit query to investigate Tesla's self-certification of its Cybercab robotaxi, following the vehicle's commercial deployment in Austin, Texas. The agency is scrutinizing whether Tesla adequately certified that its driverless vehicles meet all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
NHTSA is seeking to understand the basis of Tesla's self-certification, particularly concerning vehicles that lack traditional human controls. The inquiry will examine the technical data and processes Tesla relied upon, including whether the company determined that certain FMVSS requirements are inapplicable to its automated vehicles. Tesla has been ordered to respond to a series of questions by September 30.