On November 13, 2026, Tesla announced on the official Robotaxi X account that it has begun sending invitations to select customers to buy its self-driving Cybercab for personal use. According to the order terms reported by Electrek and Not a Tesla App, the vehicle costs $29,990 before tax, and operating it requires a $299 monthly subscription. The Cybercab is a two-seat autonomous vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals, and trips are managed through an app. Although individuals can now buy one, actual use is limited by the subscription terms, permitted routes, and other conditions.
A $29,990 Vehicle and a Mandatory Monthly Subscription
According to the order screen shown by Not a Tesla App and Electrek's report, the $29,990 price includes the first month of the self-driving service subscription. Buyers must pay a non-refundable $1,000 deposit when ordering. Delivery is scheduled for December 2026, and the order screen lists Austin, Texas as the delivery location. The purchase offer is invitation-only and limited to select customers.
In its official FAQ, Tesla directs individuals and businesses that want to buy a Cybercab for commercial purposes to an interest registration form. The current invitations, by contrast, are for personal-use purchases and pair the vehicle with the monthly subscription needed to operate it.
Under the autonomy service terms dated November 12, 2026 published by Tesla, the monthly "Autonomy Subscription" covers the software and services that enable and manage self-driving, vehicle connectivity, and related features. The terms state explicitly that the Cybercab cannot operate without an active subscription. The monthly fee covers not only the self-driving service but also the maintenance costs specified in the contract.
Owners use a Tesla account and a compatible mobile device to set destinations, manage trips and vehicle access, book maintenance, and contact support through the app. The cabin seats two people, and each must be in a seat. Even after purchase, an ongoing subscription and the app are prerequisites for use.
Manual Control Is Possible Without a Steering Wheel, but Capped at 2 mph
Although the Cybercab has no steering wheel, it offers a manual driving function using the in-car touchscreen. According to Tesla's terms, the function is meant for moving the vehicle short distances, such as in a parking lot, and speed is limited to 2 mph (about 3.2 km/h). Self-driving is disabled during manual operation, and a human controls the vehicle. A valid U.S. driver's license is required, and the function is not intended for use on public roads.
For everyday travel on public roads, owners must use self-driving and comply with the service areas and operating conditions Tesla approves. The terms prohibit operation outside those areas, and the system may prevent the vehicle from driving there. The manual function is only for limited vehicle movements and is not a way around service-area restrictions.
The service area is not fixed, and Tesla can expand, reduce, or change it as needed. The terms say the areas, hours, and other conditions will generally follow those of its Robotaxi ride-hailing service but will not necessarily match them exactly. Tesla's FAQ says the ride-hailing Cybercab is available in a limited area of Austin, but for privately owned vehicles, buyers need to check the conditions that apply to each vehicle.
Operation also requires a stable connection, up-to-date software, and access to the Tesla account. Operation may be restricted or halted in places without connectivity, and road type, weather, and other factors may also limit driving. As a result, even buyers living in an eligible area must separately confirm whether the routes they want to use every day are drivable.
Whether You Can Get From Home to Your Destination Is Key to the Purchase Decision
Whether a privately owned Cybercab is usable day to day can be judged by four conditions: the ongoing subscription, permitted routes and hours, intended use, and manual-control limits. Tesla's November 12, 2026 terms set the following for each.
| Item to check | Tesla's conditions | Impact on daily use |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing subscription | An active Autonomy Subscription is required | The vehicle cannot operate if the subscription lapses |
| Routes and operating conditions | Tesla-approved areas, hours, roads, weather, connectivity, etc. | Buyers must confirm that the entire route is drivable, not just the start and end points |
| Intended use | Personal, non-commercial use is the rule; exceptions if Tesla permits in writing or enables the feature in the product | Use as a private car is distinct from offering the vehicle for ride-hailing, delivery, or rental services |
| Manual control | Short moves off public roads, max 2 mph, valid U.S. driver's license required | Limited to movements such as in parking lots; cannot be used for driving on public roads |
For example, if someone commutes from home to work and stops at a charging location on the way back, it is not enough for home and work to be inside the service area. The round-trip route, the trip to the charging location, and the return time must all meet the usage conditions. Depending on road type and connectivity, a route may not be drivable even if the start and end points both fall within the area on a map.
Intended use is also restricted. The terms set personal, non-commercial use as the rule and prohibit owners from registering or offering the Cybercab on Tesla's Robotaxi Network or on third-party ride-hailing, delivery, or rental platforms. Exceptions apply if Tesla explicitly permits it in writing or the relevant feature is enabled in the product. Different conditions apply to someone buying a Cybercab for commuting and someone hoping to earn income through ride-hailing while the vehicle is idle.
The specific addresses, routes, and hours available for a privately owned vehicle must be checked against the conditions shown for each vehicle. Because the service area itself can change, it is important at the time of purchase to confirm that your regular trips linking home, work, and other places are feasible.
The $299 Monthly Fee Includes Maintenance, but Owners Still Bear Some Costs
The $299 monthly subscription covers not only self-driving but also vehicle connectivity, remote support, roadside assistance, and designated maintenance. The covered maintenance in Tesla's terms includes tire inspection, replacement, and rotation, cabin air filters, wipers, and windshield replacement. The list of covered maintenance may change.
Owners are responsible for vehicle registration, insurance, parking, charging, and general cleaning. Unexpected repairs outside the contract are also not included in the monthly fee, though some may be covered by the vehicle warranty. When evaluating the monthly fee, it is necessary to distinguish between the scope of maintenance included and the costs owners pay separately.
Maintenance is also handled in a Cybercab-specific way. According to the terms, for scheduled maintenance the vehicle drives itself, unoccupied, to a Tesla service center and returns to the owner after the work is done. It may be transported when necessary. If an owner refuses or fails to complete required safety inspections or repairs, the vehicle's operation may be restricted until the work is done.
Assuming the monthly fee stays at $299 for five years from purchase, the combined vehicle price and subscription fees come to $47,631. Because the first month is included at purchase, this adds the remaining 59 months.
\[ 29,990+299\times59=47,631\ \text{dollars} \]
This estimate does not include taxes, insurance, vehicle registration, charging, parking, or repair costs outside the contract. Whether the $1,000 deposit paid at ordering is credited toward the vehicle price also cannot be confirmed from the published order terms.
The monthly subscription renews automatically until canceled, and there is no prorated refund on cancellation. Because Tesla can change the monthly fee with one month's notice, the $47,631 figure is an estimate assuming the current fee continues, not a guaranteed five-year total.
Ahead of the December 2026 delivery date, the service area and hours that apply to privately owned vehicles will be a key factor in purchase decisions. Beyond confirming that the vehicle can travel between home, work, and charging locations when needed, buyers need to consider whether the monthly subscription, which includes maintenance, and other ownership costs are worth the value they would get from it.