Latest news with #BillLamoreaux
Business Insider
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Business Insider
Tesla makes moves to expand robotaxis in the Bay Area and Phoenix
Tesla is operating a limited robotaxi service in Austin. Elon Musk said Tesla will expand the Austin service area and will add the Bay Area in 1-2 months. Arizona's Department of Transportation also said Tesla applied for testing approval in June. Tesla is making moves to expand its robotaxi service outside Texas, less than a month after it began sending invites to a select group of early riders in Austin. On the eve of xAI's Grok 4 launch on Wednesday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in a thread on X that the EV company will expand to a "larger service area" in Austin this weekend and that robotaxis will come to the San Francisco Bay Area "probably in a month or two" pending regulatory approval. Bill Lamoreaux, an Arizona Department of Transportation spokesperson, told Business Insider in an email that Tesla also applied in late June for certifications to operate and test autonomous vehicles with and without a safety driver in the Phoenix Metro area. Sawyer Merritt, a popular Tesla investor who frequently covers Musk's ventures, first reported the Phoenix news. Lamoreaux wrote in the email that a decision on the certifications is expected by the end of July. Once they're approved, Tesla will have to follow a self-certification process, he wrote. Each area where Tesla has set its expansion targets is a region where Alphabet's Waymo operates robotaxis without safety drivers present in the vehicles. Tesla's robotaxis in Austin are currently limited to 10 to 20 Model Ys and have safety operators in the front passenger seat. Waymo has deployed more than 1,500 robotaxis in multiple US cities as of June. The scale of expansion in Austin and the phase of Tesla's robotaxi service in the Bay Area and Phoenix — whether that's testing with or without early riders — remains unclear. The regulatory landscape for autonomous ride-hailing services in California is more extensive than in Texas, where companies don't need specific permits to operate autonomous vehicles. In California, companies must apply for permits with the Department of Motor Vehicles and the California Public Utilities Commission to begin testing autonomous vehicles. The CPUC granted Tesla what's called a transportation charter permit in March. It's a key milestone for the company to start a ride-hailing business, but the permit doesn't allow Tesla to operate quite like Uber or Lyft, let alone deploy autonomous vehicles. Instead, it allows Tesla to provide a transportation service with its own vehicles and only for its employees, almost like an internal chauffeur service. Taseen Shamim, a CPUC spokesperson, told BI in an email that Tesla hasn't applied for "any new CPUC-issued operating authorities" as of Thursday afternoon. When asked how long the approval process would take, the spokesperson said the agency "cannot speculate on process time." A California DMV spokesperson told BI in an email that Tesla has held a permit to test autonomous vehicles on public roads with a safety driver since 2014. "To date, Tesla has not applied for either a driverless testing or deployment permit," the spokesperson said, meaning Tesla can't yet test without a safety operator inside the vehicle or deploy robotaxis for the public. The 'theater' behind Tesla's robotaxi expansion Gene Munster, a Tesla investor and managing partner at Deepwater Asset Management who covers robotaxis, said in his "Pressure Points" podcast that the expansion news brings further investor "optimism" and a clear sign that Tesla's stock will largely be dependent on the company's progress with autonomy and less so about vehicle deliveries. Munster added that Musk's announcement appears to mark a shift away from the Tesla robotaxi's "experiment" phase and more toward the business phase. When asked by BI if the limited number of passengers Tesla has invited for the robotaxi service so far factors into the investor outlook, Munster said that "anyway you look at it, it's still super early and any fractional datapoints factor into the slope of its adoption." Alex Roy, general partner at New Industry VC and former director of Argo AI, a self-driving startup, told BI that announcing expansion plans while Tesla still has safety drivers present inside the vehicle is important for the company as it plays catch-up with its competitor, namely, Waymo. The VC calls Tesla's move "minimum viable autonomy theater," in which a company executes the bare minimum — in this case, a limited-sized fleet, invite-only access, and safety operators present in the vehicle — to keep up with the "perception of real progress." Roy, who previously told BI that he's optimistic on Tesla's success, said Waymo did something similar with an early-access program several years before it rolled out a service to the general public, and that "theater" is not bad but, in Tesla's case, necessary. "They're going to keep doing that until they catch up to Waymo," he said.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Can I get a Real ID after May 7? Here's how to apply for an Arizona Travel ID
Real ID goes into effect nationwide on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. That's the day you'll need an Arizona Travel ID or other Real ID-compliant document to pass airport security or enter a federal building. But don't panic. You can still get a Real ID after the deadline passes. Arizonans can apply online at (here are the required documents you need) and then an in-person interview is required at a Motor Vehicles Department office or authorized third-party provider. You can make an appointment online for your interview or you can just show up. Expect to wait if you don't have an appointment. After that, it takes about 10 days to two weeks to receive your Arizona Travel ID in the mail. The news you need to start your day. Sign up for AZ Briefing. Can I get a Real ID after May 7? Yes. You can get a Real ID after May 7. If you're getting it in advance of a flight, give yourself at least two weeks of lead time, said ADOT spokesman Bill Lamoreaux. How can I tell if I have a Real ID? The Arizona Travel ID — which is a Real ID — is distinguishable from a standard driver license by a gold or black star on the upper right corner. How much does an Arizona Travel ID cost? An Arizona Travel ID costs $25. When it starts: Phoenix is getting a new flight to this history-filled city Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who's covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic's consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Support local journalism. Subscribe to today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Can you get Real ID after May 7? What to know if you're flying
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Real ID second thoughts: Can you switch back to a standard Arizona license?
As the May 7 Real ID deadline looms closer, maybe you've gotten your Real ID and are having second thoughts. Maybe you have security and privacy concerns about the ID − concerns that explain why the American Civil Liberties Union is opposed to Real ID enforcement. Is it possible to switch back to a regular driver's license if you have second thoughts about a Real ID? It depends on the state. In Arizona, where motorists have the option of selecting a standard license that is not federally compliant or selecting the Real ID-compliant Arizona Travel ID, those who have the Travel ID can switch back. Still, demand for the Arizona Travel ID is high as people prepare for the rollout of the new rules for passing airport security and boarding airplanes. About 85% of Arizonans applying for drivers licenses are choosing the Travel ID instead of the standard license, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Get the Arizona news you need. Sign up for AZ Briefing from azcentral. Yes, you can switch back from Real ID to an ordinary Arizona driver's license, ADOT spokesman Bill Lamoreaux said. "The Arizona Travel ID (Real ID) is an option for those that fly domestically or need to access secure federal buildings such as the federal courts or military bases," he said. "The standard Arizona driver's license or ID cards are still acceptable forms of identification for other purposes. Someone wishing to downgrade from the Arizona Travel ID to a standard credential would pay the age-appropriate fee" to obtain the ID, Lamoreaux said. Those fees are as follows, according to ADOT: Age 50 and older: $10. Ages 45-49: $15. Ages 40-44: $20. Age 39 and younger: $25. New at Sky Harbor: All the new flights in Phoenix in 2025, from Southwest red-eyes to Aeromexico Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who's covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic's consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Subscribe to today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Real ID second thoughts: Can you go back in Arizona?
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Real ID: You have to go in person to get one. Here's how it works in AZ
Applying for an Arizona Travel ID, this state's version of the Real ID that will soon be required to board a plane, requires filling out an application, submitting your documentation and then an in-person interview. The federal Real ID Act will take effect for Arizonans and several other states that have not yet adopted it on May 7. When that happens, people must have identification compliant with the act to pass through airport security or enter federal buildings. Appointments to get an Arizona Travel ID are quickly filling up, with few slots available over the next 30 days, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Here's what to know about getting your Real ID in person in metro Phoenix. People can start the process of getting an Arizona Travel ID online at Finishing the process requires an in-person visit. After applying for the Travel ID, make an appointment at an MVD office or third-party provider. You'll bring your documentation and review your application with a representative. It takes about two weeks after an appointment for an Arizona Travel ID to arrive in the mail, according to ADOT. If you want yours by May 7, you should complete your application — including the in-person interview — by April 23. Arizona MVD offices are reporting 20% to 30% higher demand for Arizona Travel IDs as the deadline approaches, ADOT spokesman Bill Lamoreaux said. Because of that, few appointments are available at metro Phoenix MVD offices over the next 30 days. As of April 17, the Chandler MVD location had no appointments available for the next 30 days and availability is limited at many other locations. Yes. Arizona Motor Vehicle Division offices accept walk-ins. Walk-ins have average waits of about 30 minutes, ADOT spokesman Bill Lamoreaux said. People can expect the longest waits on Mondays and Fridays. Arizona MVD offices are open 7:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Yes. ADOT lists about 58 third-party locations that offer drivers license services, including Real ID. That includes Arizona Auto License Services, which has five metro Phoenix locations and one in Flagstaff. Its owner, Howard Moss, said appointments are filling up fast because people are worried about the Real ID deadline. "All my stores have been real busy with Real ID," Moss said. "People are not really totally sure why they need (the Arizona Travel ID), but if you fly domestically and don't have a passport, you might have a problem if you don't have one." Third-party locations accept appointments and walk-ins and are open on Saturdays and evenings, Moss said. To schedule an MVD appointment for an Arizona Real ID, click on "Schedule an appointment" at then follow the prompts. You'll need to provide information about your Arizona driver's license or ID if you have one; if you don't, you'll provide your Social Security number to get an appointment. If you're going to a third-party office, go to the website of your chosen location and make your appointment. Get the Arizona news you need. Sign up for AZ Briefing from azcentral. To get a Real ID in Arizona, ADOT requires one primary document for proof of birth, two documents for proof of address and a Social Security number. An Arizona Travel ID is valid for eight years. A Real ID — the Arizona Travel ID — costs $25. Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who's covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic's consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Real ID: You have to go in person to get it. Here's how in AZ
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Apply for your Real ID by this date if you want it by May 7, Arizonans
Americans will soon need a Real ID to pass airport security for domestic flights. Real ID enforcement will begin on May 7, following multiple delays. People who don't have a Real ID that day will be subject to additional scrutiny and may be turned away. The longer you wait to apply for your Real ID, the less likely you'll have it by May 7. Arizonans can apply online for the Arizona Travel ID, Arizona's Real ID-compliant state identification, but must complete the process in person. They'll need to make sure they have the required documents for their appointments Here's when people should apply for a Real ID so it arrives in the mail in time for their flights. It takes about 10 to 14 days to receive an Arizona Travel ID in the mail after the in-person interview is completed, said Bill Lamoreaux, spokesman for the Arizona Department of Transportation. The ID arrives in a plain white envelope, Lamoreaux said. Applicants should be careful when sifting through their mail to avoid inadvertently throwing it away. The Arizona Department of Transportation said it takes about two weeks for an Arizona Travel ID to arrive in the mail after an application is submitted. That means anyone who wants to get their Real IDs by May 7 should apply by Wednesday, April 23. Allowing more time is suggested in case of processing delays, especially as demand for Real IDs increases. Lamoreaux recommends allowing at least three weeks between applying for a Real ID and your travel plans. An Arizona Real ID costs $25. The news you need to start your day. Sign up for AZ Briefing While the Arizona Travel ID is not mandatory for Arizonans, Real ID is mandatory to go through airport security and enter federal buildings such as courthouses. Other documents can be used as Real ID, including a passport book or card, military ID, tribal ID or a trusted traveler card such as Global Entry. Where you can fly: All the new flights at Mesa Gateway Airport this spring Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who's covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic's consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Subscribe to today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Real ID: Apply by this date if you want yours by May 7
