Tesla Robotaxi Test Encounters Driving Errors in Austin Pilot
Tesla's Robotaxi autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin pilot testing experienced three driving errors during test rides, including an attempted entry onto a one-way street. A safety operator was present in each vehicle to intervene when needed.
What happened
Tesla's Robotaxi, an autonomous ride-hailing service in pilot testing in Austin, encountered three driving errors during test rides in July 2025. One incident involved the Robotaxi attempting to drive the wrong way onto a one-way street marked with 'Do Not Enter' signs.
A Business Insider journalist conducted five test rides in the Robotaxi alongside an early-access user. A safety operator sat in on every ride during the testing phase.
Reported impact
The test rides were reported as mostly smooth overall, with the journalist describing two half-hour rides and three shorter trips as generally safe experiences. However, the driving errors indicated the system was not fully reliable in all traffic scenarios.
Governance controls
Tesla's Robotaxi service had a safety operator present during every test ride, serving as a backup to the autonomous driving system. The service is in early pilot stages with a limited number of autonomous Model Ys operating in Austin and only a small group of people given early access.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.