The taxi service will initially operate with Tesla employee drivers only, use current-model vehicles, and won’t allow for driverless rides.

Tesla was granted a permit to operate a taxi service in what is seen as a first step toward driverless taxis for the electric vehicle brand.

Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) secured a permit from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on Tuesday to operate a transportation service in the state, marking the first step in a lengthy regulatory process that could ultimately pave the way for the company to launch a robotaxi service there.