Driverless cars are no longer a science fair project in Austin. Tesla’s Cybercab was already carrying out commercial service there when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a federal audit of how the vehicle was certified.
The agency made the announcement on September 4, 2026, according to its press release. The probe is an Audit Query, listed as AQ26002.
Regulators Want To Know Whether Tesla’s Promise Of Full Compliance Holds Up
Here is the question at the center of the audit. NHTSA is examining whether Tesla’s certification that its new Cybercab meets all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards is accurate.
The investigation follows Tesla’s commercial deployment of driverless Cybercab vehicles in Austin, Texas. An audit query is a look at paperwork and engineering, not a finding that anything is wrong.
Self-Certification Is How Every Car Gets Its Start
Many readers may not realize how the system works. Automakers must certify that their vehicles comply with federal safety standards before selling them in the United States, and NHTSA oversees that certification…