The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has granted Zoox an exemption to demonstrate its custom-built robotaxis on public roads. The agency also closed an investigation into whether the Amazon-owned company had bypassed federal regulations.
This decision resolves a long-standing debate over whether Zoox’s autonomous vehicles complied with federal motor vehicle safety standards, which typically require features like steering wheels and pedals. Zoox had previously argued its vehicles met these standards and announced in July 2022 that it had self-certified them. However, NHTSA raised concerns and launched an investigation in March 2023 to examine the company’s self-certification process and data.
Despite the investigation, Zoox continued developing and testing its autonomous vehicle technology. In early 2023, the company began testing its custom-built robotaxis—which lack traditional controls like steering wheels—on public roads near its Foster City, California headquarters. Testing has since expanded to Las Vegas and San Francisco.
While Zoox does not yet operate a commercial service, it has opened its robotaxis to employees and hosted family and friends in San Francisco. Earlier this year, the company introduced the Zoox Explorer program in Las Vegas, offering early public riders a chance to experience its autonomous vehicles. The current exemption only permits demonstrations, not commercial operations.
NHTSA’s decision aligns with its new national framework, designed to streamline the deployment of autonomous vehicles without traditional manual controls. Known as AV STEP (or ADS-Equipped Vehicle Safety, Transparency and Evaluation Program), this framework allows NHTSA to approve the sale and commercialization of autonomous vehicles that deviate from federal safety standards due to the absence of manual controls.
The revised process includes an expedited application system, enabling companies like Zoox to obtain exemptions for testing, demonstrations, and eventually, commercial operations. A Zoox spokesperson confirmed the company is collaborating closely with NHTSA, starting with the demonstration exemption and moving toward commercial approval.
As part of the agreement, NHTSA has closed its investigation into Zoox’s self-certification. Zoox has also agreed to remove or modify any claims that its vehicles comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.