Elon Musk’s latest tech venture might be heading for another regulatory speed bump in California. The Tesla CEO casually announced plans to launch autonomous taxi services in the Bay Area within “a month or two,” but local politicians and state regulators are pumping the brakes on his ambitious timeline.

According to California Department of Motor Vehicles spokesperson Jonathan Groveman, Tesla hasn’t even submitted the necessary permits required for autonomous vehicle deployment. While the company currently has permissions for testing vehicles with safety drivers, they lack crucial approvals for driverless commercial operations.

Assemblymember Catherine Stefani didn’t mince words, calling out Musk’s proposal as a “flagrant disregard” for state regulations. In a strongly worded letter to DMV Director Steve Gordon, she highlighted the ongoing safety investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and pointed to the recent Cruise robotaxi disaster as a cautionary tale.

The regulatory process isn’t quick or simple. The DMV typically takes 30 business days to review permit applications, and companies must operate under existing permits for 30 days before gaining approval to transport public passengers. These requirements aren’t mere bureaucratic hurdles but critical safety protocols.

This isn’t the first time Musk’s autonomous vehicle timeline has been dramatically out of sync with reality. In 2019, he confidently predicted a million robotaxis would be on roads by the following year, a prediction that never materialized.

Tesla’s Austin launch provided a limited preview, with upgraded Model Y vehicles driving selected testers around at $4.20 per ride, still accompanied by Tesla employees. The Bay Area’s stricter regulatory environment presents a significantly more complex landscape for autonomous vehicle deployment.

As the tech world watches, it seems Musk’s robotaxi dreams will need more than just hype to navigate California’s rigorous safety standards. Local lawmakers and regulators remain committed to ensuring any autonomous vehicle service prioritizes public safety above corporate ambition.