Tesla’s highly anticipated Robotaxi service could be just days away from launching in California, according to new in-app terms spotted by Early Access participants.
On Saturday, Tesla insider Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) shared a screenshot from the Tesla Robotaxi app that appears to confirm the imminent rollout of Tesla’s ride-hailing platform in the Golden State. The updated terms of service displayed to users reference California-specific disclosures and permissions, stating:
“If your ride is taking place in California, it is being conducted with a safety driver using FSD (Supervised). By choosing the button below, you agree to Tesla’s CA TCP Terms of Service, consent to the use of FSD (Supervised) versions that are not yet publicly available, acknowledge that you’ve read the CA TCP Rider Privacy Notice, and confirm you’re at least 18 years old.”
Image: @SawyerMerritt on X
The reference to California rides “conducted with a safety driver” strongly suggests the service will launch with a Tesla Safety Monitor in the driver’s seat — marking a significant shift from Tesla’s current Robotaxi pilot in Austin, Texas. In Austin, the company has been testing fully driverless vehicles with a safety monitor in the passenger seat and remote human operators who can intervene if necessary.
The timing aligns with a recent internal Tesla memo leaked earlier this week, which outlined plans to begin Robotaxi service in San Francisco imminently. Tesla is also reportedly in talks to expand the Robotaxi program to Phoenix, Arizona, and parts of Nevada.
While the app terms don’t specify an official launch date, the updated disclosure serves as one of the clearest signals yet that Tesla’s Robotaxi service is on the cusp of going live in California — with a human at the steering wheel and (likely) limited access to begin.
