Tesla Targets NYC for Robotaxi Trials, Faces Regulatory Roadblock

- Tesla hires operators in NYC for autonomous data collection. - Company faces regulatory hurdles and lacks city testing permits. Tesla's attempt to launch autonomous vehicle testing in New York City has hit a regulatory roadblock. On August 12, 2025, CNBC reported that the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) confirmed Tesla has not yet applied for the mandatory permits to legally test its autonomous technology. The company is actively recruiting “vehicle operators” to support data collection for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, with job postings describing roles that involve driving engineering vehicles for extended periods to collect audio and camera data. However, NYC regulations present a challenge, as the city mandates that companies testing autonomous tech must secure permits and use trained drivers who can intervene when necessary. Tesla appears to be bypassing these criteria. In contrast, Alphabet’s Waymo has taken a different approach. In June 2025, Bloomberg noted that Waymo formally applied for permits to test its self-driving vehicles with safety drivers in Manhattan. While regulators review Waymo's application, the company is also lobbying to amend state laws that could potentially allow for fully driverless vehicles in the future. Tesla’s push in NYC is part of its broader nationwide strategy to expand autonomous vehicle testing and services, as the company is also hiring test drivers in cities like Dallas, Houston, Miami, and Palo Alto. In addition, it is accelerating ride-hailing services that feature semi-autonomous vehicles in locations such as Austin, Texas, and the San Francisco Bay Area. However, not all of these operations are in compliance. While Tesla holds permits for robotaxi trials in Texas, it reportedly lacks approval from the California Public Utilities Commission for its San Francisco services. Meanwhile, the company faces growing scrutiny over its autonomous systems. Federal agencies are investigating related crashes, and various lawsuits allege that Tesla has falsely marketed its driver-assistance technologies. According to MarketWatch on August 13, 2025, Tesla’s stock price (TSLA) was $714.38 at 12:00 UTC, while trading volume had increased by 3.9% over the preceding 24 hours.