Tesla gets permit to run as a transportation network company in Arizona

(Reuters) -Tesla has received a permit to operate ​as a transportation network company ‌in Arizona, a state regulator said on Tuesday,‌ in a step toward expanding the electric vehicle maker’s robotaxi service.

The TNC permit does not allow ⁠Tesla to run ‌a driverless ride-hailing service. Tesla, in September,‍ got a permit from the state to test its autonomous vehicles with a safety ​driver.

The permit gives the Elon ‌Musk-led company the ability to operate as a ride-hailing firm in the state after receiving a Vehicle for Hire permit under Arizona regulations.

Tesla, ⁠which applied for the ​permit on November 13,​ met the requirements and was permitted as of November 17 as ‍a TNC,⁠ the state’s Department of Transportation said in a statement.

(⁠Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru and Abhirup ‌Roy; Editing by Alan Barona ‌and Bill Berkrot)