On the Dash:
- Tesla robotaxis face an NHTSA petition review over alleged speeding in active school zones.
- NHTSA’s file covers about 1,000 vehicles and lists four incidents, with no crashes or injuries.
- The agency has until Jan. 21, 2027, to grant or deny the request for an investigation.
Federal safety regulators are reviewing a petition that alleges Tesla’s driverless robotaxis exceed posted speed limits in active school zones. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened defect petition file DP26010 on Oct. 9 to decide whether to grant or deny a request for an investigation.
NHTSA received the petition on Sept. 23, covering an estimated 1,000 model year 2026 Tesla Robotaxis, including the Model Y and Cybercab, operating with the Automated Driving System engaged.
NHTSA’s opening resume lists four incidents. Three came from social media reports included in the petition, and one came from NHTSA’s own reports. Fortunately, no crashes or injuries are reported.
Federal law gives NHTSA 120 days from filing to grant or deny the petition, which puts the deadline at Jan. 21, 2027. A grant would open a formal investigation.
NHTSA is also pressing Tesla for sworn answers on how it certified the Cybercab, which has no steering wheel or pedals. The agency opened Audit Query AQ26002 on Sept. 3 to evaluate Tesla’s basis for certifying that the vehicle meets federal safety standards. The order lists 21 requests, and Tesla’s response was due Sept. 30. NHTSA has not made Tesla’s answers public.
Tesla began commercial Cybercab service in Austin on Sept. 3. The company has also expanded Robotaxi operations to Dallas and Houston. Under Texas law, citations for a vehicle with an engaged automated driving system go to the vehicle’s owner or the holder of the state’s driverless operating authorization.
Tesla has been through a similar review. In January 2023, NHTSA raised concerns about how Full Self-Driving Beta adjusted speed in variable speed zones. Tesla recalled 362,758 vehicles with an over-the-air update.
NHTSA’s decision on the petition will show how far federal scrutiny of Tesla’s driverless fleet goes. Robotaxi operations continue while the agency reviews the evidence.
