NHTSA Reviewing Claims Tesla Robotaxis Speed in School Zones

Tesla’s Robotaxi fleet is under renewed federal review. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an inquiry into allegations that Tesla’s Robotaxis exceed speed limits in active school zones, as reported by Drive Tesla Canada.

The defect petition inquiry, opened on October 9, covers an estimated 1,000 vehicles, including both retrofitted Model Y robotaxis and purpose-built Cybercabs.

What NHTSA Is Reviewing

The inquiry originated from a petition submitted on September 23 that alleges Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system does not obey reduced speed limits in school zones. The petitioner provided three videos as evidence.

NHTSA has identified four incidents of Robotaxis displaying this behavior so far: one formal complaint filed with the agency and three reports shared on social media. None involved a collision, injury, or fatality.

It remains early in the process. NHTSA has not determined whether Tesla’s Robotaxi software contains a safety defect and is reviewing the evidence before deciding whether to open a formal investigation. Similar concerns have also been raised about Waymo regarding incidents involving school buses and reduced-speed areas.

Another Regulatory Hurdle for Tesla

This marks the second NHTSA inquiry into Tesla’s driverless fleet in just over a month. In early September, the agency opened an investigation into the Cybercab as public rides began in Austin. That probe focuses on how Tesla self-certified the Cybercab without a steering wheel, pedals, or side mirrors, and without applying for an exemption.

Tesla recently received a 30-day extension to respond to that probe, giving it until October 30 to answer 21 questions. The questions span topics from how the Cybercab meets federal requirements for turn signals and brakes to whether passengers can move the vehicle using the touchscreen.

Robotaxi Expansion Continues

The new inquiry arrives as Tesla expands its Robotaxi network. The company says it now operates a fleet of more than 300 Cybercabs in Austin — alongside Model Y robotaxis — and that Dallas is next in line for Cybercab rides.

For now, Robotaxi operations continue while NHTSA reviews the school zone evidence. The agency’s decision on whether to escalate to a formal investigation, together with Tesla’s October 30 response in the Cybercab probe, will indicate how much, if at all, these reviews could slow Tesla’s expansion plans.