NHTSA Investigates Tesla’s Cybercab Launch

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Tesla’s decision to launch its Cybercab on public roads without a steering wheel or pedals.

NHTSA announced the probe hours after Tesla put the first production Cybercabs on the streets of Austin, Texas. Federal vehicle safety regulations require manual controls such as brake pedals. However, the Department of Transportation recently proposed removing those requirements for vehicles designed to be autonomously driven.

Tesla told NHTSA that it had self-certified the Cybercab as compliant with all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Automakers traditionally determine for themselves whether their vehicles comply with FMVSS rules.

According to the agency’s filing, the investigation will examine “the process and technical data on which Tesla relied when certifying the Cybercab and related issues.” NHTSA will also consider how much Tesla’s certification depended on conclusions that certain federal motor standards do not apply to the Cybercab.