Tesla has officially started sending out invites for the Early Access launch of its long-awaited Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas. The service, powered by Tesla’s Model Y vehicles equipped with its latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) stack, is set to go live this Sunday, June 22, 2025, with limited availability and strict parameters in place.
Early Access participants — who are invite-only — will be among the first to experience Tesla’s autonomous ride-hailing app within a designated geofenced area of Austin. Many of those chosen took to X (formerly Twitter), showing off their invitations.
The service will operate daily between 6:00AM and 12:00AM (midnight), though Tesla notes that hours and availability may change depending on weather or other factors.
According to official communications sent to invitees, riders can bring one adult guest along, but only the original invitee may download and use the Robotaxi app. Riders will be accompanied by a Tesla Safety Monitor in the front passenger seat during the trip, underscoring Tesla’s cautious approach amid regulatory and technical challenges.
To participate, users must accept Tesla’s Terms of Service, Rider Rules, Privacy Notice, and more. A credit or debit card is required on file to request a ride, and Tesla reserves the right to remove users from the program for violating rules or behaving inappropriately.
Image: @SawyerMerritt
Interestingly, Tesla is allowing participants to take photos and videos of their experience and encourages feedback through in-app ratings — a clear move to build momentum and visibility ahead of a wider rollout.
Tesla is only putting 10 robotaxis on the roads of Austin to start, but CEO Elon Musk has said the fleet could hit 1,000 cars “in a few months.” While the Robotaxi service will be tightly controlled for now, its arrival marks a major milestone in Tesla’s self-driving ambitions and could reshape the urban mobility landscape if scaled successfully.
