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 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."
This comes after Tesla was given 60 days from December 16, 2025 to fall in line with the agency's request.
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."
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.
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 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. ®
Source: The register