Tesla Lists 42 Texas Robotaxis as Waymo Holds 577 Under New AV Law
Updated
Updated · CNBC · May 28
Tesla Lists 42 Texas Robotaxis as Waymo Holds 577 Under New AV Law
1 articles · Updated · CNBC · May 28
Texas DMV records published May 28 show Tesla has 42 vehicles authorized for driverless ride-hailing in the state, versus Waymo’s 577 and AV Ride’s 317; Zoox has 35.
The disclosure came as a new Texas law took effect requiring commercial driverless operators to self-certify their vehicles as SAE level 4, a standard Waymo has long used.
Tesla has said most of its cars use level 2 driver-assistance systems and has not explained how any Robotaxi fleet vehicles were certified as level 4 for Texas service.
Austin records show Tesla’s fleet logged 17 known incidents from July 2025 to April 2026, including two minor-injury crashes and one hospitalization, all while safety supervisors were on board.
The gap underscores Tesla’s weaker starting position in driverless taxis as it bets future growth on autonomy, while Waymo already runs nearly 4,000 commercial robotaxis across the U.S.
As Tesla’s tiny robotaxi fleet faces safety probes, is its self-certification a real breakthrough or a dangerous regulatory loophole?
Europe demands strict proof of AV safety, while Texas lets companies grade their own homework. Which continent is on the right road?