NHTSA gives Tesla until Sept 30 to answer Cybercab certification questions; audit seen as likely fail

JOBhakdi · x · 2026-09-17

Sawyer Merritt published NHTSA's full list of questions Tesla must answer about Cybercab by September 30, covering scaling plans, vehicle details, SAE automation levels, ODD limits, and applicable safety standards.

Question 21 asks Tesla to explain how its vehicles comply with existing FMVSS requirements without an exemption, given NHTSA's prior position that additional FMVSS changes would likely be needed for vehicles operated solely by an automated driving system. Analysis building on the Pioneerlands assessment argues Cybercab would likely fail the audit on current rules, but if the proposed rules update is adopted before the audit concludes — which is considered likely — the audit becomes largely irrelevant.

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