Part 6/11:
Passenger transportation licenses (e.g., ride-share permits) allow Tesla to operate cars with passengers under traditional driver-assist rules.
Autonomous testing permits (Phases 1-3) govern the development and validation of AV systems without passengers.
By using these pathways, Tesla can deploy vehicles under one permit while simultaneously testing autonomous operation in another.
The Ingenious Solution: The “Driver Who Doesn’t Drive”
Tesla’s key move involves a regulatory nuance: the distinction between an AV with a safety driver and a vehicle driven by a driver who “just happens to not drive.”