Las Vegas residents and visitors will see a significant increase in autonomous vehicles on the streets over the next year. The Nevada Transportation Authority has granted approval for Tesla, Waymo and Uber to begin operating paid robotaxi services in Clark County, which encompasses the city. Tesla investor Sawyer Merritt reported that Nevada authorities have authorized the company to introduce up to 5,000 robotaxis over the next 12 months, following a meeting held on August 20, 2026.

Tesla’s license allows operation throughout the state of Nevada, with the condition that the agency is notified of any expansion of coverage. During the question and answer session, the company revealed that it was collaborating with security forces to produce a five-minute instructional video. This material will detail the procedures that first responders must follow in emergency situations involving the brand’s autonomous vehicles. Tesla also communicated that, although the maximum limit is 5,000 robotaxis, the goal of 2,500 units circulating in Nevada by 2027 would already be considered a great success.

On the same topic: Uber will put 2,000 Chinese robotaxis on the streets of Europe

At the same time, Waymo obtained permission to introduce a thousand robotaxis in the same area over the next year. Although it had already been authorized to operate fully autonomous vehicles in Las Vegas since July, without the presence of human drivers, this new license now allows the company to charge for trips made.

Sarfraz Maredia, global director of Autonomous Mobility and Delivery at Uber, confirmed that the ride-hailing company’s request to offer paid robotaxi rides in Nevada has also been approved. Uber is authorized to deploy a thousand robotaxis in the region.