agent Entrepreneur logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

California DMV Accuses Tesla of Exaggerating Hands-free Driving Software Capabilities

The California Department of Motor Vehicles has asked for an administrative hearing that could result in penalties.

August 9, 2022
California DMV Accuses Tesla of Exaggerating Hands-free Driving Software Capabilities

 

Credit:

Tesla

2 min to read


 

The California Department of Motor Vehicles has accused Tesla of exaggerating the capabilities of its hands-free driving software. The agency has asked for an administrative hearing that could result in penalties.

Tesla offers three levels of automation on its vehicles. Each level offers different capabilities, but none give consumers a true autonomous vehicle.

Ad Loading...

Autopilot comes standard equipment on every Tesla vehicle. It includes a smart cruise control that matches the car’s speed to the speed of surrounding traffic and a lane-centering function to keep the car in the center of its lane.

Enhanced Autopilot, a $6,000 option on all Tesla vehicles, which offers the same features as Autopilot but adds the ability to navigate highway on- and off-ramps and highway interchanges without driver input, and to suggest lane changes. This level also includes a self-parking system and a “summon” function that lets owners call the car to them from across a parking lot.

Full Self-Driving costs consumers $12,000. This system lets the car read and react to traffic lights and stop signs with the driver’s “active supervision.” Owners can use this system today but must agree to a series of waivers to activate it. Tesla reports the system is still in “beta testing.”

The California DMV claims Tesla “made or disseminated statements that are untrue or misleading, and not based on facts.” By naming the products “autopilot” and “full self-driving,” the DMV alleges Tesla suggests the systems operate autonomously.

But SAE requires active driver supervision with autonomous capabilities such as those offered by Tesla. The automaker has since added a disclaimer stating “the currently enabled features require active driver supervision and do not make the vehicle autonomous.”

Ad Loading...

A collective group of automotive safety groups have asked the auto industry to agree on standardized names for autonomous systems to avoid confusion.

Tesla has offered up information that explains how Full Self-Driving is “not capable of recognizing or responding to static objects and road debris, emergency vehicles, construction zones, large uncontrolled intersections with multiple incoming ways, occlusions, adverse weather, complicated or adversarial vehicles in the driving path, and unmapped roads.”

California DMV maintains this disclaimer is not enough.

If the DMV prevails in its lawsuit, it could revoke the company’s licenses to make or sell its cars in California.

But in a KMB.com article, a DMV spokesperson hinted the agency wouldn’t take things that far. Instead, will require Tesla to advertise to consumers and better educate Tesla drivers about the capabilities of its ‘Autopilot’ and ‘Full Self-Driving’ features.”

 

Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today

More Product & Technology

Three men and one woman sitting on a green backlit stage talking

That Bot Can Do a Lot

Artificial intelligence was all the buzz at the 2026 Agent Summit. A panel of tech specialists broke through the noise to give agents guidance on steering dealer clients.

Read More →
Photo of man working under the hood of a car with a tool

Cyber F&I

Your dealer clients could only benefit from showcasing products on their websites along with vehicle inventory. Modern consumers expect to be informed and are more likely to buy products when they are.

Read More →
Audi Q9 headlight graphic.

Road Glare to Drop a Notch?

Audi is preparing two SUV models for the American market with the automaker’s adaptive LED headlights. Its technology is designed to reduce brightness for other drivers, a growing complaint among U.S. motorists.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Man in blue suit smiling for photo.
Product & Technologyby StaffMay 29, 2026

AppOne Partners With RouteOne for E-Contracting Solution

By digitizing the entire contracting and funding process, the company says auto dealers can eliminate frustrating and disorganized manual processes.

Read More →
hand signing paperwork on a clipboard on top of a desk with a gavel to the side

Senators Propose Chinese Connected Car Ban

Just weeks before President Trump is set to meet with the Chinese president, two U.S. senators proposed a bill with the aim of protecting Americans’ data.

Read More →
blue Subaru car, windy road graphic, ADAS Upgrades

Subaru Upgrades Safety Tech

Amid increasing regulation and consumer demand, the automaker has partnered with Infineon to update its advanced driver-assistance systems with the aim of greater safety and security.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Product & Technologyby StaffFebruary 4, 2026

AAMS Training and Mosaic Compliance Services Merge

The strategic combination is intended to expand technology-driven compliance solutions for the automotive industry.

Read More →
Product & Technologyby Lauren LawrenceJanuary 16, 2026

Dealership AI Use on the Rise

The most common artificial intelligence applications in automotive retail include customer communications, scheduling, reporting, marketing content and handling of online leads.

Read More →
Product & Technologyby Hannah MitchellJanuary 8, 2026

Auto Software Collaboration Grows

More OEMs and U.S. auto parts makers joined the global initiative to leverage open-source software development for greater efficiencies and vehicle innovations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Product & Technologyby Lauren LawrenceDecember 23, 2025

In-Vehicle AI Predicted to Spike

Frost & Sullivan expects a $238 billion market opportunity for the technology in automobiles by 2030 as AI applications shift to more mass-market applications.

Read More →
Ad Loading...