It’s been just a bit more than six months since Apple abandoned its plans for its “Apple Car” electric vehicle and California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has canceled Apple’s autonomous vehicle testing permit, according to macReports.
While Apple’s permit for testing autonomous vehicles with a safety driver, AVT030, was good until April 30, 2025, the company officially called the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) on September 25, 2024 to cancel its testing Permit. The permit was formally canceled effective September 27, 2024, effectively putting the final nail into the program’s coffin.
The DMV sent a confirmation letter to Apple via email, stating, “On September 25, 2024, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) received confirmation from Apple Inc. to cancel the Autonomous Vehicles Program Manufacturer’s Testing Permit (AVT030). This permit is hereby canceled, effective September 27, 2024.”
Apple’s permit provided the ability for the Cupertino company to test a self-driving vehicle on any public road in California, as long as a safety driver was present in the vehicle.
Apple was using leased Lexus SUVs that it had equipped with an array of sensors and cameras, allowing it to test autonomous driving technologies on California streets.