Why NHTSA Opened an Investigation Right After Tesla’s Cybercab Launch

Tesla held a launch event in Austin on Thursday, announcing the start of its autonomous Cybercab service. The gold‑covered robotaxis seat two passengers and have no steering wheel, gas pedal or brake pedal.

Within hours of the launch, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced an investigation into the Cybercabs. The agency said it is required by law that autonomous vehicles have backup steering and pedal controls, and it will check whether Tesla’s design meets that rule.

NHTSA’s statement explained that manufacturers must certify their vehicles meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and the agency can open an “audit query” when a certified vehicle appears not to comply.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is currently reviewing the backup‑control rule. After a lengthy review, DOT recently permitted Amazon‑owned Zoox vehicles to operate without a wheel and pedals, even though Zoox also self‑certified compliance with the same safety standards.

Both Zoox and Tesla’s Cybercabs therefore rely on self‑certification, but NHTSA’s immediate probe shows that regulators are closely watching whether the exemption from backup controls is safe.

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