The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today issued its decision in the Tesla administrative case (Case Nos. 21-02188 and 21-02189), adopting the administrative law judge’s (ALJ) proposed decision, which concludes that Tesla’s use of the terms “autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving Capability” to describe its vehicles’ Advanced Driving Assistance Features (ADAS) is misleading and violates state law.

The administrative law judge’s proposed decision ordered suspensions of Tesla’s manufacturing license and its dealer license for 30 days. Upon review, the DMV’s decision adopts the ALJ’s findings regarding violations, but reduces the penalties, immediately imposing a permanent stay of the suspension of Tesla’s manufacturer’s license and giving Tesla 60 days to take action regarding its use of the term “autopilot.” If Tesla fails to address the issue, after 60 days it will be subject to the 30-day suspension of its dealer license.