The U.S. safety regulator has given Tesla until September 30 to answer a series of questions about its autonomous robotaxi certification.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced Tuesday that Tesla must respond to a detailed questionnaire by September 30. The inquiry focuses on whether Tesla properly self‑certified its autonomous Cybercab robotaxi, a key component of its push into driverless ride‑hailing services.
Tesla’s Cybercab, marketed as a fully autonomous vehicle, has been under scrutiny after several incidents involving its autopilot system. NHTSA’s request seeks clarification on the internal safety assessments, data logging practices, and compliance with federal vehicle safety standards that Tesla used to grant the Cybercab its self‑certified status.
Industry analysts say the regulator’s move could set a precedent for how emerging autonomous fleets are vetted, potentially tightening oversight for all manufacturers developing robotaxis. Tesla has not yet commented on the specific questions but affirmed its commitment to safety and regulatory cooperation.