Tesla’s ambitious plan for a nationwide robotaxi network is inching closer, as Nevada’s Department of Motor Vehicles has provided official approval for Tesla to begin testing autonomous vehicles in the state.
The approval is another milestone for Tesla, establishing Nevada as the next proving ground for Robotaxi as it looks to expand its operational footprint beyond its current service areas in Austin and the Bay Area.
Nevada Green Light
In an email exchange with Sawyer Merritt, the Nevada DMV confirmed that Tesla’s application for Testing Registry certification was submitted on September 3rd, then processed and approved by the Office of Business Licensing on September 10th.
According to the DMV, the physical autonomous vehicle license plates and the registry certificates were sent to Tesla the same day, allowing Tesla to begin accumulating real-world miles in the Silver State.
The Path to Public Rides
This isn’t a green light for Tesla to start offering public rides yet. This initial approval is for testing purposes and offers a path for Tesla to obtain the final certifications for operations. The next and final step is a Self-Certification for Operations with the Nevada DMV.
This self-certification process, once reviewed and approved, would grant Tesla a Certificate of Compliance for operations. This is the final item that would unlock a driverless service for the public in Nevada, similar to the one currently operating in Austin, where vehicles have no one in the driver’s seat.
It will be up to Tesla to include a safety monitor or driver for their own testing requirements, which they may be slowly moving away from as more confidence is gained with more miles on the latest builds of Robotaxi FSD.
Building on the Austin Blueprint
Securing approval in another state is a big development for Robotaxi. It demonstrates that Tesla’s model for deploying its autonomous fleet is scalable and can navigate the regulatory frameworks of different states. Nevada is a logical next step, too, being home to Tesla’s Giga Nevada and having a long history of being at the forefront of autonomous vehicle legislation.
Tesla’s rollout to Nevada will be part of its slow, deliberate, and strategic rollout of the Robotaxi network. With each new state that comes online, Tesla gathers invaluable data and experience, building on everything they’ve learned in Austin and the Bay Area.
The Nevada approval is more than just a simple permit. It’s a sign that Tesla is actively working with states to expand the Robotaxi network. We may see the next states, Arizona and Florida, coming online very soon.
