California DMV suspends Cruise’s robotaxi permit ‘effective immediately’

The California Department of Motor Vehicles suspended Cruise’s robotaxi permit “effective immediately.” The General Motors-backed company had been involved in several safety incidents recently, most recently a hit-and-run by another driver that resulted in a pedestrian trapped under one of Cruise’s driverless vehicles.

Among the reasons cited for the suspension: Cruise’s vehicles “are not safe for public operation”; the company allegedly “misrepresented” the safety of its vehicles; Cruise’s vehicles could pose “an unreasonable risk to the public”; and permits can be revoked “if a manufacturer is engaging in a practice in such a manner that immediate suspension is required for the safety of persons on a public road.”

Cruise can still test its vehicles with human safety drivers behind the wheel. But its robotaxi permit that allowed it to pick up and drop off passengers in driverless vehicles has been suspended. A spokesperson for the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In August, a Cruise robotaxi collided with a fire truck, injuring one passenger. In response, the company reduced the number of vehicles it had deployed by half while the city investigated the incident. And earlier this month, a hit-and-run launched a pedestrian in front of a driverless Cruise vehicle, trapping her underneath for some time.

Developing….