California DMV Tesla Marketing Decision

Authority type

State Administrative Order

Jurisdiction

California

Issuing body

California Department of Motor Vehicles

Citation

California DMV Case Nos. 21-02188 and 21-02189, decision adopted December 16, 2025; corrective-action announcement February 17, 2026

Legal status

Administrative Enforcement Order Issued

Last reviewed

October 18, 2026

California DMV adopted the decision in cases 21-02188 and 21-02189 on December 16, 2025. Its February 17, 2026 announcement reported that Tesla stopped using Autopilot in California marketing and avoided the dealer-license suspension. The matter concerns driver-assistance marketing under California law; it is not a Texas liability ruling or a finding that all Tesla vehicles are driverless.

Law checked through October 18, 2026.

Sources

• California DMV autonomous vehicle program

Related guides

• Texas Driverless Vehicle Authorization