Tesla has launched public access to its Robotaxi service in Austin and ride-hailing in the Bay Area for anyone with an iPhone. The expansion marks a shift from invite-only trials to widespread availability. Safety monitors remain in vehicles for now, with plans for removal by year-end.
On November 18, 2025, Tesla officially opened its Robotaxi service to all iOS users, allowing anyone to download the app and hail a ride in Austin, Texas, or the Bay Area, California. This move ends the invite-only phase that began earlier in the year.
The service launched in Austin in late June 2025, operating without a driver in the seat unless the route involves freeways. In the Bay Area, it started about a month later, in July 2025, with a safety monitor always present due to local regulations. Initially limited to handpicked participants, the platform gradually expanded to gather performance data and ease regulatory constraints.
Tesla's CEO Elon Musk has stated that safety monitors are in place for safety reasons, with intentions to remove them by the end of 2025. Reports from users confirm immediate access: 'People who just downloaded the app tell me they got immediate access to the service,' tweeted Sawyer Merritt on November 18. Teslarati verified the availability, noting, 'Go download the app and, if you’re in the area, hail a ride from Robotaxi.'
This public rollout signals Tesla's confidence in the technology after months of operation. The company also plans to extend Robotaxi to five new U.S. cities soon, building on data from the initial launches to support fully driverless rides.