Texas authorizes paid robotaxi services

Texas has moved from broadly allowing autonomous vehicles on public roads to requiring a state authorization for paid driverless service. The change comes through Senate Bill 2807, a 2025 law whose authorization requirements became enforceable on May 28, 2026, according to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. That means companies carrying passengers or property without a human driver for commercial purposes now need an active state authorization before operating in Texas. Here’s what changed, what it does not change, and why it matters for Tesla, Waymo and other robotaxi operators in Texas. ### What did Texas actually authorize? Texas did not suddenly legalize autonomous vehicles from scratch. Texas had already allowed AV testing and operation on public roads under earlier laws, but the new framework adds a required authorization for commercial operation of automated vehicles on Texas roads. (txdmv.gov) The TxDMV says companies must receive authorization before operating vehicles controlled by automated driving systems in Texas. The law applies to commercial activity involving passengers or freight without a human driver. TxDMV says individually owned vehicles used for personal purposes do not need this authorization. The department also says the rules are codified in Texas Transportation Code, Subchapter J, Chapter 545. ### When did the new rules take effect? Senate Bill 2807 became effective on September 1, 2025, but Texas did not immediately enforce the authorization requirement. (txdmv.gov) TxDMV says state agencies used that period to implement the law, and the latest administrative rules became effective on February 27, 2026. Under the law’s implementation schedule, the authorization requirement became enforceable 90 days later, on May 28, 2026. Spectrum News, citing City of Austin senior government relations coordinator Alison Ross, reported on May 13 that the law “creates a required authorization for commercial operation of automated vehicles on Texas roads” and shifts much of that authority to the DMV. Ross also said AV companies must share first-responder interaction plans with the Texas Department of Public Safety. (txdmv.gov) ### Does this mean any company can launch a paid robotaxi service? Texas still limits the framework to higher-capability automated vehicles. TxDMV defines an “automated motor vehicle” for this program as one capable of Level 4 or Level 5 automation under SAE International Standard J3016, April 2021. Autoblog reported that under the new law, companies offering SAE Level 4 or higher autonomous cars can legally offer commercial driverless transportation in Texas if they comply with state and federal safety rules. (spectrumlocalnews.com) The practical step is an application through the Texas Motor Carrier Credentialing System. TxDMV says the electronic application requires basic applicant contact information, and companies operating commercially on or after May 28 must maintain an active authorization. ### Why is Tesla part of this story? Tesla is part of the story because state filings show it has positioned vehicles inside the new framework. Autoblog reported that Tesla self-certified 42 Model Ys as automated vehicle operators under the new Texas regulations, allowing it to offer paid driverless taxi rides in the state. (txdmv.gov) CNBC reported on May 28 that Texas records showed Tesla with 42 autonomous vehicles authorized for driverless ride-hailing in the state. (txdmv.gov) The same records showed Waymo with 577 authorized robotaxis in Texas, AV Ride with 317 and Zoox with 35. ### So is this a Tesla-only law? Texas wrote the system as a statewide regulatory program, not a Tesla-specific carveout. (autoblog.com) TxDMV says it has authority to issue, revoke and restrict authorizations, while the Texas Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement handle on-road enforcement and traffic-law compliance. The beneficiaries are any companies that can meet the state’s requirements for Level 4 or Level 5 commercial service. (cnbc.com) In current Texas filings, that includes Waymo, Tesla, Zoox and AV Ride. ### What should readers watch next? May 28, 2026, is the key operational date because that is when Texas began enforcing the authorization requirement for commercial automated vehicles. (txdmv.gov) The next concrete checkpoint is the TxDMV authorization database and Texas Motor Carrier Credentialing System, where additional operators and fleet counts can appear as companies apply or expand service. (cnbc.com)