Tesla has quietly launched its ride-hailing service in San Francisco’s Bay Area, but it’s not the robotaxi rollout that Elon Musk has long promised. Instead, the service—already running in Austin—relies on safety drivers behind the wheel, operating vehicles equipped with Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology, while passengers book rides through an invite-only system.

Tesla’s AI account on X confirmed that invitations are being sent out. They shared a map that highlights coverage in the Bay Area, Fremont, and central San Jose. Videos from Tesla influencer Teslaconomics show cars picking up passengers. Fares are being charged just like a traditional ride-hailing service.

Regulations, however, are keeping Tesla from going fully driverless in California. The state’s Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) clarified that Tesla isn’t authorised to “test or transport the public” in fully autonomous vehicles. While Tesla holds a transportation charter permit for rides with human drivers, it hasn’t applied for the licenses needed to run true robotaxis.

The picture is different in Texas, where Tesla’s Austin service runs self-driving Model Y cars with safety monitors. They operate under looser state rules. Despite these limits, Musk remains undeterred. He recently told investors that Tesla’s robotaxi network could reach half of the U.S. population by year-end. This is a bold target that signals where Tesla is headed next.

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