NHTSA opened an investigation into Tesla's claim that its Cybercab meets federal vehicle safety standards. The regulator is using an Audit Query, a review of how a carmaker justified its own compliance. The action follows Tesla's commercial deployment of driverless Cybercabs in Austin, Texas. Carmakers in the US certify their own vehicles, subject to agency oversight. NHTSA will examine the technical data and processes behind Tesla's certification. It will look at whether Tesla treated some standard requirements as not applying to a vehicle without human controls. The agency says it has begun eight rulemakings to update standards, covering brake pedals, wipers, lighting and mirrors. Existing standards stay in force until that work finishes. Administrator Jonathan Morrison said the agency supports automated vehicles but must ensure laws are followed.

• eight rulemakings underway
• Audit Query AQ26002