Tesla Stops Using 'Autopilot' in California Marketing

Move avoids 30-day sales and manufacturing ban in the state.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Tesla has stopped using the term 'Autopilot' to sell its cars in California, following a ruling by a California administrative law judge that the automaker misled consumers by using the terms 'Autopilot' and 'Full Self-Driving.' The judge recommended a 30-day sales and manufacturing suspension, but the California DMV gave Tesla 60 days to remove any untrue and misleading language in its marketing materials.

Why it matters

California is a crucial market for Tesla, accounting for nearly a third of its sales in the country. The ban could have had a significant impact on the company's business. Tesla's decision to stop using 'Autopilot' in its marketing avoids this potential disruption.

The details

In December, a California administrative law judge ruled that Tesla misled consumers by using the terms 'Autopilot' and 'Full Self-Driving' in its marketing materials, as the vehicles equipped with those features 'could not at the time of those advertisements, and cannot now, operate as autonomous vehicles.' The judge recommended a 30-day sales and manufacturing suspension, but the California DMV gave Tesla 60 days to take corrective action, which the company has now done by stopping the use of 'Autopilot' in its marketing.

  • In May 2021, Tesla began using the terms 'Autopilot' and 'Full Self-Driving Capability' in its marketing materials.
  • In December 2022, a California administrative law judge ruled that Tesla's use of these terms was misleading.
  • The California DMV gave Tesla 60 days to remove any untrue and misleading language from its marketing.
  • In February 2026, Tesla announced it has stopped using the term 'Autopilot' to sell its cars in California.

The players

Tesla

An American electric vehicle and clean energy company that designs and manufactures electric cars, battery energy storage from home to grid-scale, solar panels and related products.

California DMV

The California Department of Motor Vehicles, the state agency responsible for vehicle registration, driver's licenses, and regulating the automotive industry in California.

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What’s next

Tesla has huge plans for its Optimus humanoid robot and intends to start selling the robot to the public by the end of 2027.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of accurate and transparent marketing, especially for emerging technologies like autonomous driving features. It also underscores California's role as a key market for Tesla and the state's willingness to take regulatory action to protect consumers.