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Feds launch investigation into Tesla’s Cybercab deployment
NHTSA has opened an investigation into Tesla's decision to deploy its new Cybercab on public roads without a steering wheel or pedals, examining whether the self-certified autonomous vehicle complies with federal safety standards. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the probe Friday, hours after Tesla put the first Cybercabs on Austin, Texas streets. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) currently require manual controls like brake pedals, though the Department of Transportation recently proposed removing those requirements for fully autonomous vehicles. NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison stated the agency supports safe AV development but must ensure all laws are followed, balancing innovation with safety oversight. Tesla told NHTSA it self-certified the Cybercab as compliant with FMVSS, a standard automaker practice. The investigation will examine Tesla's certification process and technical data, including whether the company determined certain federal standards are inapplicable to the Cybercab. The probe follows a precedent set in 2022 when NHTSA opened a special order against Amazon-owned Zoox after it self-certified a robotaxi lacking traditional controls. Zoox's investigation slowed its commercialization path; the company received a temporary Part 555 exemption in July 2026, allowing up to 2,500 vehicles per year for commercial service, which it now operates in Las Vegas. Whether Tesla faces a similarly lengthy process remains unclear. NHTSA acknowledged it is updating FMVSS rules on manual controls to "unleash American innovation," but existing standards remain in force until that work is completed.