Tesla is facing a significant regulatory obstacle ahead of its planned Cybercab launch, as the company has reportedly not applied for necessary exemptions from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The agency requires special permission to sell vehicles on public roads that lack traditional controls like a steering wheel and pedals, a core design feature of the autonomous Cybercab. A former NHTSA official described this as a massive potential liability, stating that "absolutely something bad happens" if the vehicle is sold or used on public roads without an exemption. With production slated to begin in April, it is unclear how Tesla intends to navigate this critical regulatory requirement for its purpose-built robotaxi, creating uncertainty around the launch of a vehicle central to its future autonomy strategy.