Tesla Obtains Ride-Hailing License in Texas, Robotaxi Service Officially Enters Compliance Operation
On August 9, Tesla officially obtained a ride-hailing operating license in Texas, and its subsidiary "Tesla Robotaxi LLC" has officially received the state's "Transportation Network Company" (TNC) operating license, valid until August 6, 2026.
This license marks the formal entry of Tesla's #Robotaxi service into the compliance operation phase, which will compete directly with traditional ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Lyft.
It is reported that the approval of this license coincides with the upcoming implementation of new autonomous driving regulations in Texas. According to the SB 2807 bill signed by Governor Greg Abbott in June 2025, starting September 1, autonomous ride-hailing services will receive the same regulatory treatment as human-driven services.
The new regulations require autonomous vehicles to be equipped with necessary sensors, purchase adequate insurance, and strictly comply with traffic laws, while also removing the requirement for an in-car safety operator, clearing the policy hurdles for Tesla's large-scale deployment of driverless taxis.
In fact, Tesla has been conducting a small-scale pilot operation in Austin since June 22. The participating Model Y fleet is equipped with the latest autonomous driving system, each vehicle has a front-seat safety operator, and is monitored remotely by the operations center, accumulating valuable experience for formal commercial operations.
Additionally, Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated in a recent earnings call that by the end of 2025, the Robotaxi service is expected to cover half of the U.S. population.
After obtaining statewide operating permission, Tesla will accelerate the pace of service expansion. Unlike in California, Texas allows Tesla to directly use the "Robotaxi" brand name and does not require an in-car safety operator.
Analysts pointed out that Tesla may leverage this policy advantage to achieve true autonomous commercial operation in Texas ahead of others.
However, to achieve this goal, Tesla still needs to complete follow-up procedures such as vehicle registration and ensure that its autonomous driving system meets federal safety standards.
The market reacted positively to Tesla obtaining the license, with the company's stock price rising 2.29% after the news was announced, closing at $329.65.
Industry insiders believe that Tesla's acquisition of the license is a key step in its strategic transformation from an automobile manufacturer to a mobility service provider, likely allowing it to get ahead in the autonomous ride-hailing market and reshape the industry landscape.