Apple cancels DMV permit for self-driving car testing

The California Department of Motor Vehicles has canceled Apple's permit for testing self-driving vehicles on roads at the company's request, in a move that could spell the end of the project.

Apple, like many other tech giants, have been testing self-driving vehicle systems for a number of years. However, a development at the California DMV has put the future of the project in doubt.

Apple had a permit for testing autonomous vehicles on roads with a safety driver until April 30, 2025. According to MacReports, Apple contacted the DMV to cancel its Autonomous Vehicles Program Manufacturer's Testing Permit.

The DMV then contacted Apple by letter on September 25, confirming Apple's request to cancel the permit, and that it would end by September 27, 2024.

Without the permit, Apple is no longer able to carry out self-driving vehicle testing on public roads.

Apple had first received its permit in 2017, with it expanding the fleet and team of drivers over time. While it had previously employed over 200 drivers for the project, as of May 2024, it had 68 registered vehicles and just 15 registered drivers.

Though the canceled permit does leave the door open for Apple to resume activity in the future, it seems that the project is dead for the moment.

In February, a report found employees considered Apple's Project Titan project was a "Titanic disaster" and a failure. Another report in March said that the challenge of a full self-driving vehicle system was insurmountable, even for Apple.

24 Comments

Pema 151 comments · 2 Years

About 1 month ago

So, what's the news?

22july2013 3725 comments · 11 Years

Headline: "Apple cancels California DMV Permit"
Opening Line: "California DMV cancels Apple's Permit"

jdw 1442 comments · 18 Years

Finally! And I hope I never hear about that ridiculous "Apple Car" again. It never made any sense for a computer and mobile phone maker to get into the car space. It's a completely different sort of thing altogether, and that would have made the company "too diverse." I think it would have harmed Apple in the end, so good riddance. No doubt they'll glean money off all the patents they filed in the years to come. That's enough.

Xed 2871 comments · 4 Years

jdw said:

Finally! And I hope I never hear about that ridiculous "Apple Car" again. It never made any sense for a computer and mobile phone maker to get into the car space. It's a completely different sort of thing altogether, and that would have made the company "too diverse." I think it would have harmed Apple in the end, so good riddance. No doubt they'll glean money off all the patents they filed in the years to come. That's enough.

1) That's the same argument I heard when Apple started making MP3 players, and then again when it was rumored they were making a cellphone.

2) You really don't see how a tech company could make a vehicle like a Tesla or Rivian?

Rick601 19 comments · 6 Years

Instead all R&D funds will be aimed at designing AirPods with noise canceling as a service subscription. Yes if you want noise
cancelling it’s an extra $5 per month. This will be quickly followed by “see thru as a service” for $8 per month for your Vision Pro. Apple R&D “we never stop not innovating”. (You can subscribe to the Apple Not Innovating Substack for $7per month.)