Not So Fast, Elon

In classic Elon Musk fashion, it started with a post on X: Tesla’s robotaxi service would be coming to the San Francisco Bay Area “in a month or two.” No permits. No transparency. No details. Just hype.

That’s not how things work in California – and it never should be.

Let’s be clear: There is no evidence that Tesla has completed the most basic safety steps required by California law to operate autonomous vehicles without a driver, let alone charge the public for rides. And yet, Elon Musk appears ready to send his untested robotaxis onto our streets anyway, daring regulators to stop him. It’s reckless, it’s arrogant and it’s exactly what we should expect from someone who has made a career of treating health and safety standards as optional.

This is the same Elon Musk who, through his so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), took a wrecking ball to vital government programs – slashing global health funding, freezing foreign aid and leaving critical services across multiple agencies in disarray, all while overstating fiscal “savings” and downplaying the real-world harm.

At Tesla, his much-hyped Cybertruck has already been recalled eight times in just over a year, including for panels that fly off, pedals that stick and critical systems that fail. Are we now supposed to believe he cares about pedestrian safety in San Francisco?

Californians should not be fooled.

The truth is that Tesla’s robotaxi rollout in Texas has already raised serious red flags. Videos have surfaced showing the cars making dangerous and erratic moves, prompting an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Meanwhile, Tesla has failed to apply for even the most fundamental permits required by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the California Public Utilities Commission to operate autonomous taxis without a human driver.

If the company moves forward without these approvals, it would be in clear violation of California law. Regulators must be ready to act swiftly and decisively.

California’s framework for autonomous vehicle oversight is among the strongest in the country. It’s built on a simple but critical principle: safety first. No company – no matter how large or loud – is above that. Before any driverless vehicle can be deployed on public streets, it must demonstrate that it can operate safely and reliably. It must comply with reporting requirements. It must engage with regulators. And it must respect the rights of the communities where it plans to operate.

Tesla has done none of that.

Instead, it continues to market experimental software with misleading names like “Full Self-Driving,” while evading transparency and dismissing public accountability. There is a staggering disconnect between what Musk says online and what Tesla is willing to show in the real world. That disconnect puts lives at risk.

Autonomous vehicles have the potential to revolutionize how we move through the world. They promise a future with fewer crashes, reduced emissions, greater mobility for seniors and people with disabilities, and transportation systems that are smarter, safer and more efficient. This isn’t science fiction. It is a real, rapidly evolving frontier of technology that could fundamentally reshape our cities for the better.

But realizing that potential requires more than flashy demos and social media hype. It requires thoughtful regulation, rigorous testing and companies that are willing to build trust, not just market share. The public deserves to know that autonomous vehicles on our roads have been held to the highest safety standards, and that their deployment is being guided by experts, not egos.

If we allow one company to ignore the rules and leap ahead without accountability, we risk poisoning public confidence in the entire sector. That would be a tragedy – not just for the people who might be harmed, but for the future of a technology that, if done right, could save lives, reduce congestion and unlock new possibilities for millions.

This is a pivotal moment. California can and should lead the way by welcoming innovation, but insisting that it be earned through transparency, discipline and respect for the public good.

That’s why I sent a letter to DMV Director Steve Gordon demanding clarity: Has Tesla submitted the required applications? What is the agency’s assessment of the company’s readiness? And if Tesla launches without permits – as Musk’s post suggests it might – will the DMV take immediate enforcement action?

The answer must be yes. Because this isn’t about slowing down innovation. It is about making sure innovation works for the people of California, not just the people selling it.

Elon Musk may believe that rules don’t apply to him. But in California, they do. And when it comes to the safety of our streets, we shouldn’t bend – not for him, not for anyone.

Assemblymember Catherine Stefani represents California’s 19th Assembly District, which includes the west side of San Francisco and northern San Mateo County. She can be reached at 415-557-2312 or Assemblymember.Stefani@assembly.ca.gov.