Tesla’s Robotaxi service marks a revolution in autonomous urban transportation. Launched in June 2025 in Austin, Texas, this service lets you book rides in self-driving vehicles through a dedicated app. Here is how to order your Tesla robotaxi ride, step by step.
Download the Robotaxi App
The first step is to download the Tesla Robotaxi app on your smartphone. This app is available on the App Store for iPhone and soon on Google Play for Android.
The app is separate from the standard Tesla app used to control Tesla vehicles. It was specially designed to book robotaxi rides and quickly surpassed Uber in downloads at launch.
Once the app is downloaded, you need to sign in with your Tesla account credentials. If you don’t have a Tesla account yet, you will need to create one before you can use the service.
Check Service Availability
The Tesla robotaxi service is currently available only in certain limited areas in the United States. At the time of writing this article (October 2025), the main service areas are:
- Austin, Texas (area expanded since the June 2025 launch)
- Bay Area, California (San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose region)
- Testing underway in Las Vegas, Nevada and Phoenix, Arizona
In the app, you can view a visual map showing the available service area based on your location. The service generally operates from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. (hours were recently extended).
Book Your Ride
Once you are signed in to the app and within a service area, here are the steps to order your robotaxi:
1. Enter Your Destination
Enter your pickup location (or use your current location) and your destination. The app uses geolocation to simplify this step. Both points must be within the authorized service area.
2. Review the Estimate
The app immediately displays an estimated wait time, trip duration and cost. The fare was initially $4.20 per ride, then raised to $6.90 (about 6.30 euros) regardless of distance within the service area.
3. Confirm the Booking
Confirm your booking with a single tap. Tesla’s algorithm then assigns the nearest robotaxi based on demand, your location and traffic conditions.
4. Track the Vehicle’s Arrival
Once a vehicle is assigned, you receive a notification with the robotaxi’s details (model, license plate) and real-time tracking of its arrival.
Get On Board and Start the Ride
When the robotaxi arrives at your pickup point:
- Check the license plate against the one shown in the app
- Open the door (unlock via the app)
- Get settled and fasten your seatbelt
- Tap “Start” in the app to begin the ride
Currently, Tesla robotaxis are Model Y vehicles equipped with the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. In Austin, no driver is at the wheel, but a safety monitor sits in the passenger seat. In California, a safety driver sits behind the wheel due to local regulations.
During the Ride
During your trip, you can customize your experience through the app and the vehicle’s touchscreen:
- Adjust the air conditioning
- Change the seat position
- Play some music
- Track the trip progress
- Request assistance if needed
- Request an emergency stop if necessary
The vehicle drives autonomously thanks to the cameras and artificial intelligence of the FSD system. Remote operators also monitor the vehicles and can step in when a situation is complex.
End of Trip
On arrival at your destination:
- Gather your belongings
- Exit the vehicle
- Close all doors
- Share your feedback on the experience in the app
Payment is processed automatically through your Tesla account.
Important Things to Know
Limited Availability
The service is currently invitation only in certain regions, with a waitlist for new users. Tesla plans to expand the service to 50% of the U.S. population by the end of 2025.
Zone Restrictions
Robotaxis can only operate within predefined geofenced areas . Highways, certain complex intersections and airports may be excluded depending on the region.
Weather Conditions
The service mainly works in good weather. Rain and fog can interfere with the sensors and limit availability.
Pricing
The current flat fare of $6.90 per trip in Austin is very competitive compared to traditional taxis or ride-hailing services such as Uber. Tesla aims for an operating cost of around $0.20 per mile in the long run.
Tesla’s robotaxi service represents a major step toward autonomous mobility accessible to the general public. Although the service is still in a testing phase with geographic and operational limitations, it offers a concrete glimpse of the future of urban transportation.
