Tesla got the green light to operate a ride-hailing service in Arizona on Monday, according to the local transportation department.
A spokesperson for the Arizona Department of Transportation said in an email that Tesla applied for a Transportation Network Company (TNC) permit on November 13. This permit allows companies to operate a ride-hailing service.
“Tesla has met the requirements to operate as a TNC and is permitted as of Nov. 17,” the spokesperson wrote in an email.
Tesla has also submitted a “self-certification” that states its plan to test autonomous vehicles in the state with safety drivers, the spokesperson said.
Tesla currently operates its robotaxi service in Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area. Arizona regulations regarding autonomous vehicle testing are less stringent than those of some other states, such as California.
In Arizona, companies are required to file a “Law Enforcement Interaction Plan” that outlines, for example, protocols for emergency cases or when a vehicle is stuck on the roadway. Companies must also submit a written statement acknowledging that they will comply with federal law.
In the Bay Area, a safety monitor is required to sit behind the wheel due to state regulations. It’s not immediately clear if Tesla will put safety monitors behind the wheel or in the passenger seat, similar to the pilot service in Austin.
Elon Musk said in October that the company plans to launch Tesla Robotaxi in eight to 10 cities by the end of 2025, with more than 1,000 vehicles.
On Tuesday, the company expanded access to the app to all iOS users in the US and Canada. It’s not immediately clear if Tuesday’s expansion came with an increase to its fleet size.
Users have reported that the service can be plagued by volatile wait times. This afternoon, Business Insider saw that the app said it was experiencing “high service demand,” instructing users to check back in later. About 10 minutes later, the app said it could find a car within 12 minutes.
A spokesperson for Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.
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