The firm started the services in the cities of Minamiboso and Tateyama in Chiba Prefecture on Monday, and will begin them in Senboku, Akita Prefecture, later this year.

Tesla has applied for a permit typically associated with chauffeur-operated services, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, marking the first phase of a series of regulatory approvals required for the electric car maker to launch its promised robotaxi service.

Tesla applied for a permit to operate a ride-hailing fleet in California, public records show. The application follows comments by CEO Elon Musk, who said that Tesla plans to offer driverless robotaxis in California and Texas in 2025.

Tesla Inc. is seeking approval to offer ride-hailing services in California, a key step by Elon Musk’s company to begin carrying paying customers while its traditional car-selling business falters.

Tesla applied for a permit with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to operate a transportation service in the state — a required first step

Tesla is taking steps to launch a ride-sharing service that could compete directly with Uber, Lyft and Waymo. Why it matters: Tesla has long pledged to run an autonomous vehicle network, which could become a significant new source of revenue at a time when its sales have flattened.