Tesla drops 'Autopilot' branding in California after DMV order
(2026/02/18)
- Reference: 1771422064
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2026/02/18/tesla_drops_autopilot_marketing/
- Source link:
Tesla has complied with an order by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and stopped using the term "Autopilot" in its marketing of electric vehicles, having already modified use of "Full Self-Driving" to clarify that it requires driver supervision.
The California DMV [1]confirmed Tesla's "corrective action" on February 17, 2026, with director Steve Gordon saying:
"The DMV is committed to safety throughout all California's roadways and communities. The department is pleased that Tesla took the required action to remain in compliance with the State of California's consumer protections."
[2]
This comes after Tesla was given [3]60 days from December 16, 2025 to fall in line with the agency's request.
[4]
[5]
The requirement followed a lengthy case over Tesla's use of the words "Autopilot" and "Full Self-Driving" in relation to its advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), along with the sentence: "The system is designed to be able to conduct short and long-distance trips with no action required by the person in the driver's seat."
The marketing dates back to May 2021. The California DMV said yesterday: "Vehicles equipped with those ADAS features could not, at the time of those advertisements, and cannot now, operate as autonomous vehicles."
[6]
The Administrative Law Judge proposed suspending Tesla's manufacturing and dealer licenses for 30 days. However, a later review gave Elon Musk's EV outfit 60 days to stop using the terms.
Tesla has now taken the required action and "In doing so, Tesla avoids having its dealer and manufacturer licenses suspended by DMV for 30 days," the California agency said.
[7]Musk distracts from struggling car biz with fantastical promise to make 1 million humanoid robots a year
[8]Tesla revenue falls for first time as Musk bets big on robots and autonomy
[9]Tesla Full Self Driving subscription to rise alongside its capabilities
[10]California DMV tells Tesla to ease off on those Autopilot claims
The Register contacted Tesla for its response to the California DMV's statement, but it has yet to reply. The company's website shows marketing for Full Self-Driving (FSD) with the word "Supervised" displayed alongside it.
Tesla's automotive fortunes are ailing. CEO Elon Musk [11]said last month it would shift the Fremont, California, manufacturing facility from Model S and X vehicles (due to be discontinued this year) to Optimus robots, which presumably won't fall under the purview of the California DMV.
The Register asked Tesla if it plans to make similar changes to marketing in other states or regions. ®
Get our [12]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-and-media/tesla-takes-corrective-action-to-avoid-dmv-suspension/
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/aiml&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2aZXwMchTaLxIF_PVcqt_2wAAA1Y&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://www.theregister.com/2025/12/17/california_dmv_tesla_autopilot/
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/aiml&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aZXwMchTaLxIF_PVcqt_2wAAA1Y&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/aiml&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33aZXwMchTaLxIF_PVcqt_2wAAA1Y&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/aiml&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aZXwMchTaLxIF_PVcqt_2wAAA1Y&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/29/truth_telling_man_always_tells_truth/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/29/tesla_revenue_drop/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/23/tesla_full_self_driving_subscription/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2025/12/17/california_dmv_tesla_autopilot/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/29/truth_telling_man_always_tells_truth/
[12] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
The California DMV [1]confirmed Tesla's "corrective action" on February 17, 2026, with director Steve Gordon saying:
"The DMV is committed to safety throughout all California's roadways and communities. The department is pleased that Tesla took the required action to remain in compliance with the State of California's consumer protections."
[2]
This comes after Tesla was given [3]60 days from December 16, 2025 to fall in line with the agency's request.
[4]
[5]
The requirement followed a lengthy case over Tesla's use of the words "Autopilot" and "Full Self-Driving" in relation to its advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), along with the sentence: "The system is designed to be able to conduct short and long-distance trips with no action required by the person in the driver's seat."
The marketing dates back to May 2021. The California DMV said yesterday: "Vehicles equipped with those ADAS features could not, at the time of those advertisements, and cannot now, operate as autonomous vehicles."
[6]
The Administrative Law Judge proposed suspending Tesla's manufacturing and dealer licenses for 30 days. However, a later review gave Elon Musk's EV outfit 60 days to stop using the terms.
Tesla has now taken the required action and "In doing so, Tesla avoids having its dealer and manufacturer licenses suspended by DMV for 30 days," the California agency said.
[7]Musk distracts from struggling car biz with fantastical promise to make 1 million humanoid robots a year
[8]Tesla revenue falls for first time as Musk bets big on robots and autonomy
[9]Tesla Full Self Driving subscription to rise alongside its capabilities
[10]California DMV tells Tesla to ease off on those Autopilot claims
The Register contacted Tesla for its response to the California DMV's statement, but it has yet to reply. The company's website shows marketing for Full Self-Driving (FSD) with the word "Supervised" displayed alongside it.
Tesla's automotive fortunes are ailing. CEO Elon Musk [11]said last month it would shift the Fremont, California, manufacturing facility from Model S and X vehicles (due to be discontinued this year) to Optimus robots, which presumably won't fall under the purview of the California DMV.
The Register asked Tesla if it plans to make similar changes to marketing in other states or regions. ®
Get our [12]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-and-media/tesla-takes-corrective-action-to-avoid-dmv-suspension/
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/aiml&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2aZXwMchTaLxIF_PVcqt_2wAAA1Y&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://www.theregister.com/2025/12/17/california_dmv_tesla_autopilot/
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/aiml&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aZXwMchTaLxIF_PVcqt_2wAAA1Y&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/aiml&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33aZXwMchTaLxIF_PVcqt_2wAAA1Y&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/aiml&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aZXwMchTaLxIF_PVcqt_2wAAA1Y&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/29/truth_telling_man_always_tells_truth/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/29/tesla_revenue_drop/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/23/tesla_full_self_driving_subscription/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2025/12/17/california_dmv_tesla_autopilot/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/29/truth_telling_man_always_tells_truth/
[12] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
retiredFool
So he got away with it for years and does a simple change which should have been done years ago and doesn't even get a slap. Lesson learned government. Tech continues to get away with murder (literally) and you will do nothing. Lesson learned. And this is Cal. Shame on you.
Dan 55
If you ever needed proof that "we can't tax the non-taxpaying billionaires, they might might move elsewhere and still not pay their taxes" is a false argument, California with its homelessness and crumbling education and healthcare is it.
Statement from Elon Musk
trevorde
Full Self Driving coming in 2027!
Re: Statement from Elon Musk
Doctor Syntax
I'd welcome it. SWMBO is going to have to give up driving because of sight problems - in fact essentially has. I'm starting to find driving tedious. But I don't really expect to see it.
Elon, Thou Shalt Not Pump Stocks With False Claims!
Just wish it cost him personally , on a scale proportionate to his worth so that it hurts (and takes care of California's deficit! :) )