Last mentioned: Feb 24, 2026
Lawsuit Filed
Tesla sues the DMV to vacate the administrative ruling despite having already complied with the remedies.
Compliance Confirmed
California DMV confirms Tesla is back in compliance, officially avoiding the 30-day suspension.
Corrective Action
Tesla stops using 'Autopilot' in California marketing to comply with state regulations.
Marketing Compliance
Tesla updates its website and promotional materials to meet DMV-mandated disclosure standards.
Preliminary Finding
DMV issues a preliminary finding of non-compliance and threatens license suspension.
Administrative Ruling
An administrative law judge finds Tesla engaged in false advertising regarding its driver-assist systems.
DMV Investigation Opens
California DMV files a complaint against Tesla for misleading marketing regarding ADAS.
Initial Complaint
CA DMV files a complaint alleging Tesla misled consumers with Autopilot and FSD branding.
Tesla has initiated legal action against the California Department of Motor Vehicles to overturn an administrative ruling that labeled its 'Autopilot' and 'Full Self-Driving' marketing as deceptive. Despite recently updating its marketing language to comply with DMV demands, the automaker seeks to vacate the finding of law-breaking to mitigate broader legal and regulatory risks.
Tesla has reached a settlement with the California Department of Motor Vehicles, avoiding a 30-day suspension of its state licenses by removing 'Autopilot' from its marketing materials. The regulator had previously deemed the branding misleading, marking a significant shift in how the EV giant communicates its driver-assistance capabilities.