Ride share drivers with Teslas use self-driving mode as Uber and Lyft shift passenger safety responsibility

Tesla is expected to unveil a fully autonomous Robotaxi and a ride-share platform of its own that may or may not be called the Cybercab service on October 10.

Uber and Lyft drivers with Teslas, however, are already using the electric vehicles as impromptu Robotaxis, keying the destination in, and letting the cars drive themselves there.

At least one such run has resulted in a serious accident where the Tesla didn't register an SUV that tried to cut its right of way, and the driver only took the wheel to mitigate the crash, sending the SUV owner to the hospital.

According to the ride-share service drivers that Reuters spoke with, up to 40% of them may be using Tesla's FSD on a regular basis. Some lament the inconsistencies of the $99/month option, but say that it takes away a big chink of the stress of driving on busy city streets, and allows them to work longer hours.

Some Uber and Lyft drivers say they never use FSD while they are with a passenger and also avoid using it in scenarios that they feel the software can't handle, such as construction zones, airport pickups and dropoffs, or busy parking lots.

When asked about the practice, Uber and Lyft washed their hands by saying that the safety of the passengers is solely the driver's responsibility, and referred to the Tesla FSD manual that says the feature needs constant supervision.

"Drivers are expected to maintain an environment that makes riders feel safe; even if driving practices don't violate the law," said Uber, while Lyft chimed in that "drivers agree that they will not engage in reckless behavior," and that's that, all the while the platforms try and make life with FSD easier for the drivers.

Uber, for example, has issued a software update that pushes the passenger's pickup or destination addresses directly to Tesla's navigation screen, which makes it easier to get to the place in FSD mode.

Tesla's self-driving option doesn't face the restrictions and scrutiny that fully autonomous platforms like Waymo or Cruise operate under, as it is certified as a Level 2 driver-assist service. This means that the Uber and Lyft drivers can basically use it anywhere at all times, as long as they agree to supervise it.

Some regulations or outright banning of the practice may be coming by the way of the NHTSA, which is investigating FSD-related accidents.

For now, however, a lot of Uber and Lyft drivers are eagerly awaiting what will Tesla announce during the Robotaxi event on October 10, hoping that FSD 13 will ease their job even more.

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