Tesla has received clearance from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to test its autonomous vehicle technology on public streets, marking a significant step forward in the company’s robotaxi ambitions.

The testing permit, processed on September 3 by the DMV’s Office of Business Licensing, allows Tesla to operate self-driving vehicles for trials in Nevada. However, the company is not yet authorized to launch a commercial robotaxi service. To move into full operations, Tesla must complete a self-certification process and secure additional approvals from the Nevada Transportation Authority.

“We are expecting to greatly increase the service area to well in excess of what competitors are doing, hopefully in a week or two,” CEO Elon Musk said during Tesla’s second-quarter earnings call in July. He added that Tesla’s long-term goal is to make autonomous ride-hailing available to half of the U.S. population by the end of the year, pending regulatory approval.

Tesla has already introduced driverless Model Y SUVs in Austin, Texas, where its pilot robotaxi service began earlier this summer with limited routes in South Austin. The program has since expanded across the city, though a Tesla employee remains in the passenger seat for safety oversight.

Nevada’s regulatory framework is considered one of the most autonomous vehicle–friendly in the country, with companies required to show proof of $5 million in insurance coverage and report any traffic incidents within 10 days. Unlike California, the process in Nevada is relatively straightforward, requiring submission of a testing registry form before a Certificate of Compliance is issued.

Other players in the state’s autonomous vehicle sector include Motional and Lyft, which have conducted years of testing in Las Vegas, as well as Nuro, which operates a closed test track. Zoox, known for its cube-shaped robotaxis, recently began offering free public rides in Las Vegas while awaiting approval to operate commercially.

Tesla’s permit positions the company to join these competitors in Nevada’s fast-evolving driverless mobility landscape. Still, before passengers can hail a Tesla robotaxi in Las Vegas or Reno, the company must clear additional regulatory hurdles.

Source: Techcrunch