Tesla Lowers Minimum Age to Ride a Robotaxi

Tesla has adjusted the Rider Terms of Service for its autonomous ride-hailing program, reducing the minimum passenger age for its Robotaxi service. The change indicates greater confidence in the software’s performance across a broader set of riders.

According to information shared by Tesla watcher @sawyermerritt, the minimum rider age has been reduced from 13 to 8 years old. "Riders aged 8-17 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or other authorized adult for the duration of the ride," the new policy states.

Expanding the Network

Tesla is scaling its ride-hailing rollout alongside this policy update. During the Q4 2025 earnings call, the company outlined a broad plan for the first half of 2026. The service is operating with a safety driver in the SF Bay Area and is ramping up unsupervised rides in Austin, with more cities queued up.

Launches are being prepared for Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Las Vegas in the coming months. Las Vegas and Dallas appear to be next in line, with Model Y Robotaxi fleets recently spotted there. Arizona has granted statewide approval for the service, positioning it as a key market as Tesla faces robotaxi competition like Waymo.

Preparing for the Cybercab

Most current trips use Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, but the major shift will be the dedicated Cybercab. Built for autonomy with no steering wheel or pedals, the Cybercab is expected to significantly lower operating costs once it enters mass production next month.

As the network expands, pricing has also been adjusted to support commercial viability. Earlier this month, per-mile rates rose by 40% and the base fare increased from $1 per ride to $3. Even as the age threshold drops, Tesla appears confident enough in demand for its "unsupervised" experience to command higher prices.

By updating its terms now, the company is setting up the legal framework for families in multiple states to summon a ride this summer. As the offering moves from a "pilot program" toward a mainstream transportation option, incremental policy updates like this help make robotaxis feel ordinary.