According to the Reuters Channel

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a regulatory review into Tesla’s certification process for its new Cybercab autonomous vehicle.

The investigation, announced on September 4, focuses on whether Tesla correctly demonstrated that the driverless vehicle complies with federal motor-vehicle safety requirements. Regulators are examining the technical information and certification process used by Tesla for as many as 1,000 Cybercabs.

Tesla recently began limited commercial operations of its two-seat Cybercab in Austin, Texas. The company has indicated that it intends to increase the number of vehicles operating in the service and eventually expand the program to other locations.

A Different Kind of Vehicle

The Cybercab differs significantly from conventional passenger cars. According to NHTSA, the vehicle does not include several traditional driver controls, including a steering wheel, accelerator pedal, brake pedal and conventional mirrors.

This creates an important regulatory question because existing U.S. vehicle safety standards were largely developed around vehicles equipped with conventional human-driving controls.

NHTSA is therefore reviewing how Tesla determined that particular federal safety requirements applied—or did not apply—to the Cybercab.

Regulatory Rules Remain in Effect

The investigation comes as U.S. regulators are considering changes to federal requirements for autonomous vehicles.

In June, NHTSA proposed eliminating a government requirement involving manual brake pedals in certain self-driving vehicles. The agency has also been considering additional regulatory changes that could make it easier for autonomous vehicles to operate without equipment designed specifically for human drivers.

However, those proposed changes have not replaced the existing requirements. Until new rules are formally adopted, current federal safety standards remain applicable.

Tesla's Position Under Review

NHTSA is specifically examining the basis for Tesla's Cybercab certification and whether the company properly determined which federal standards were relevant to the vehicle.

Texas records showed that 420 autonomous vehicles associated with Tesla were registered in the state as of September 4, including 45 Cybercabs.

Under current U.S. regulations, fully autonomous vehicles can operate without traditional driver controls under certain circumstances, but manufacturers may need regulatory exemptions when required equipment is absent.

NHTSA has the authority to approve petitions allowing a limited number of vehicles without required human-driving controls to operate on U.S. roads. The agency previously granted Amazon’s Zoox unit permission for limited commercial deployment of steering-wheel-free robotaxis.

According to the agency, Tesla had not submitted such a petition for the Cybercab.

What Happens Next?

The investigation does not necessarily mean that Tesla's Cybercab program will be stopped. Instead, the review is intended to determine whether the vehicle's certification process complied with federal requirements.

The outcome could become significant for the wider autonomous-vehicle industry. As manufacturers move toward vehicles without conventional steering wheels, pedals and other driver equipment, regulators will need to determine how existing safety standards should apply to these new designs.

For Tesla, the review comes at an important stage as the company begins introducing its Cybercab commercially and considers expanding its autonomous transportation service.

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