California Gives Didi Chuxing Self-Driving Test Permit
The state's DMV updated its list of 53 companies that have received permits to test self-driving technology in California on May 10.

Didi Research North America's Moutain View Lab. Photo: Didi Chuxing
China-based ride-hailing firm Didi Chuxing’s U.S. division, Didi Research North America, is the latest entity to receive a permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to test autonomous vehicles in the state.
Didi opened its U.S. research lab in Mountain View in March 2017, reports Tech Crunch.
In February, the DMV released its new rules for testing autonomous vehicles in the state. The new rules focused on testing done without a driver. Now, vehicle manufacturers must obtain a driverless testing or deployment permit if they wish to test vehicles without a driver or allow the general population to use their self-driving technology.
Other requirements include certifying that the autonomous test vehicle is capable of operating without the presence of a driver and meet the autonomous technology description of the Society of Automotive Engineers Level 4 or 5 vehicles; ensuring vehicle have a connected communication link to a remote operator and law enforcement; and, informing the DMV of all intended operational design domains.

Photo: Jaguar MENA/Flickr
The DMV updated its list of 53 companies that have received permits to test self-driving technology in California May 10.
The full list of companies that have been granted permits includes: Volkswagen Group of America, Mercedes Benz, Waymo, Delphi Automotive, Tesla Motors, Bosch, Nissan, GM Cruise, BMW, Honda, Ford Zoox, Inc., Drive.ai, Faraday & Future Inc., Baidu USA, Valeo North America, Inc., NIO USA, Inc., Telenav, Inc., NVIDIA Corporation, AutoX Technologies Inc., Subaru, Udacity, Navya, Renovo.auto, PlusAi, Nuro, CarOne, Apple, Bauer’s Intelligent Transportation, Pony.AI, TuSimple, Jingchi Corp, SAIC Innovation Center, Almotive Inc., Aurora Innovation, Nullmax, Samsung Electronics, Continental Automotive Systems Inc., Voyage, CYNGN, Roadstar.Ai, Changan Automobile, Lyft, Phantom AI, Qualcomm Technologies, aiPod, SF Motors Inc., Toyota Research Institute, Apex.Al, Intel Corp., Ambarella Corporation, and Gatik AI.
Not on the list of permitted companies? Uber. The technology company decided to suspend its autonomous vehicle testing following the death of a pedestrian in Arizona earlier this year.
Uber’s California permit expired March 31.
Related Content: Volkswagen, Didi Chuxing in Talks to Co-Create Autonomous Vehicles
More Rental Operations

Rethink The Future To Avert A Race To The Bottom
Rental car operators heard a sobering industry message and a stern challenge at the close of the International Car Rental Show.
Read More →
DriveItAway, Free2move Plan Shared Fleet Program for Independent Rental Fleet Operators
Vehicles would be placed with participating rental operations to support car renter demand and provide additional fleet capacity.
Read More →
Stellantis Recalls 1.3 Million Jeep Vehicles Worldwide Over Fire Risk
Stellantis is recalling more than 1.3 million Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models worldwide over a fire risk linked to power steering pump wiring.
Read More →
Green Motion And U-Save Open Rental Operations In Guatemala
The brands will open their first rental car outlets in the country at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City.
Read More →
U.S. Business Travel Drives $623 Billion+ in Economic Impact as Spending Reaches $538 Billion
The data also underscores the industry’s strong multiplier effect across the U.S. economy, revealing that each dollar invested in business travel in 2024 generated $1.16 in GDP.
Read More →
Rental Fleet Sales Skating Just Above 2025 Levels
The U.S. economy's continued growth and positive business investment are creating a favorable environment for fleet vehicle demand.
Read More →Grow Your Rental Business Beyond Cars
Rental fleet operations are facing numerous evolving challenges and opportunities from AI technology to rate and revenue management, to customer service and business growth.
Read More →
Using AI to Create Clarity, Not Conflict, in Rental Car Damage
Rental companies still need people, policy, judgment, and thoughtful implementation, with operators remaining in control of the customer experience.
Read More →
Get Ready To Roll: No Stopping Self-Driving Rental Cars
The autonomous mobility technology revolution will move at its own pace, but sooner rather than later.
Read More →
Southwest Airlines Selects CarTrawler For Its Car Rental Booking Platform
The platform is designed to allow customers to compare and book rental vehicles more easily during the travel booking process.
Read More →
