California removes Uber's self-driving vehicles from roads
Californian regulation officials have ordered Uber to remove its self-driving vehicles from roads as the company’s vehicles were caught running red lights, including across pedestrian crosswalks. According to the California department of motor vehicles, the errors - which Uber attributes to human error - highlight the need for further measures to ensure safety. The regulator has demanded that Uber seek a testing permit for the cars, and has threatened to initiate legal repercussions if the cars are not removed. Uber has responded that it does not believe it requires a testing permit, as the cars currently have drivers in them to monitor journeys.

SAN FRANCISCO — Uber made a big splash in its hometown on Wednesday when it started offering self-driving car service to passengers here, making San Francisco the second city in the world where the ride-hailing company provides autonomous vehicles for public use.

But California regulators made an even bigger splash late Wednesday when they told Uber to stop the service because it was illegal. The company, the officials said, did not have the necessary state permits for autonomous driving.

“It is illegal for the company to operate its self-driving vehicles on public roads until it receives an autonomous vehicle testing permit,” Brian G. Soublet, deputy director of California’s Department of Motor Vehicles, said in a letter to Uber. “Any action by Uber to continue the operation of vehicles equipped with autonomous technology on public streets in California must cease until Uber complies.”