NHTSA grants Zoox first exemption for paid rides in a robotaxi with no steering wheel

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration granted Zoox a temporary exemption that lets it manufacture and commercially deploy purpose-built robotaxis without steering wheels or pedals. The exemption covers up to 2,500 vehicles per 12-month period for two years and eight federal safety standards. Zoox still needs California permits before paid service can start in San Francisco.

• Up to 2,500 vehicles per 12-month period, for two years
• Eight federal motor vehicle safety standards exempted
• Vehicles have no steering wheel or pedals
• San Francisco paid service still needs CPUC and DMV driverless permits