Tesla launched a ride-hailing service in the San Francisco Bay Area on Thursday, without indicating whether it would be using self-driving vehicles that power its Austin, Texas operations. California has not permitted Tesla to offer robotaxi service,

However, unlike Austin, where a safety monitor is sitting in the front passenger seat, San Francisco Robotaxis have a safety driver behind the steering wheel. This is due to Tesla not having all the regulatory approvals required by the state of California to offer paid driverless taxi rides.