T Cab Mobility source-linked commentary · Published · Reviewed
What the audit query examines
NHTSA opened Audit Query AQ26002 on 3 September 2026 to examine the process and technical data Tesla relied on when certifying the Cybercab as compliant with US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; NHTSA's record notes the vehicles lack conventional manual controls and that it will consider the extent to which certification depended on some standards being treated as inapplicable.
The reported response extension
EVwire reported on 8 October 2026, citing an NHTSA memo dated 29 September 2026, that NHTSA granted Tesla a 30-day extension, moving the deadline to respond to its Special Order from 30 September to 30 October 2026 (Tesla had asked for eight weeks).
An examination, not a finding
An audit query is an examination, not a finding of non-compliance, and this is a US regulatory process, not Australian approval.
Sources and date context
- NHTSA: Audit Query AQ26002 record (opened 3 September 2026, PDF) ↗
- EVwire: source of the extension detail (8 October 2026 report citing a 29 September 2026 memo) ↗
The date above is T Cab’s commentary publication and review date. Source publication dates, policy decision dates and undated operating information are identified separately; review does not establish a new operational milestone.