The automaker has approval to test autonomous vehicles with a safety driver in California, but it does not have, nor has applied for, a driver-less testing or deployment permit from the state's Department of Motor Vehicles, according to the report.
Tesla late last year applied for a transportation charter-party carrier permit from the California Public Utilities Commission, the report said, citing documents. That classification means Tesla would own and control the fleet of vehicles.
The company discussed driver's license information and drug-testing coordination in its communications with California officials, suggesting that Tesla intends to use human drivers, at least initially, the report said.
Tesla and the California Public Utilities Commission did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.
Musk has in the past year pivoted Tesla to robotaxis as demand slows for its aging line-up of electric vehicles — a high-stakes bet that has lifted shares but could face regulatory roadblocks. Investors are counting on the billionaire's close ties to U.S. President Donald Trump to simplify that process.
Musk had in October said Tesla will roll out driverless ride-hailing services to the public in California and Texas this year, without offering more specific details.
Tesla had in the same month revealed a concept for a robotaxi called Cybercab that will come without a steering wheel or control pedals, as it looks to dominate the self-driving vehicle industry.
Musk has said Tesla will start fully unsupervised FSD in Texas and California this year, without offering more details. He said the Cybercab will go into production in 2026 and will also be available for customers to buy for less than $30,000.
However, with autonomous technology proving harder and more expensive to solve, industry experts have warned it could take Tesla several years to commercialize a robotaxi.
