---
title: "Lyft Approved to Test Self-Driving Cars on Public Roads in California"
description: "Watch out, Uber."
date: "2017-11-22"
modified: "2017-11-22"
authors:
  - name: "Stephen Edelstein"
    job_title: "Weekend Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/stephen-edelstein"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/self-driving-cars/16331/lyft-approved-to-test-self-driving-cars-on-public-roads-in-california"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Autonomous Cars"
  - "California"
  - "Lyft"
  - "ride sharing"
  - "self-driving cars"
  - "Tech"
---

# Lyft Approved to Test Self-Driving Cars on Public Roads in California

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/09/lyft_amp_03.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Lyft is the latest company to receive a permit to test [self-driving cars](<https://www.thedrive.com/self-driving-cars/15724/what-are-these-levels-of-autonomy-anyway>) on public roads in California. It's an important step in the company's attempt to catch up with rival Uber in the development of autonomous vehicles for ride-hailing.

As of Nov. 16, Lyft appears on a [list of companies](<https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/vr/autonomous/testing>) issued autonomous-testing permits by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Lyft has not discussed any specific testing plans, but it now has the green light from regulators to operate its own self-driving cars.

While Lyft hasn't put any of its own cars with self-driving tech on the road just yet, the company is engaged in a number of autonomous-driving initiatives. [In July](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/12744/lyft-is-pumping-up-its-self-driving-car-development-program>), it announced plans for a dedicated self-driving car research center in Palo Alto, California, and prior to that, it forged ties with [Waymo](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/10255/lyft-waymo-agree-to-join-forces-on-self-driving-cars>) and autonomous-driving startup [NuTonomy](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/11161/nutonomy-and-lyft-joining-forces-on-self-driving-cars>).

Lyft is already planning to [launch a pilot autonomous ride-hailing service](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/14181/lyft-prepping-new-self-driving-ride-sharing-program-for-san-francisco-bay-area>) in the San Francisco Bay Area in concert with startup Drive.ai, which will likely provide the cars. In yet another joint effort, Lyft is [working with Ford](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/14668/ford-partners-with-lyft-to-build-autonomous-car-infrastructure>) to develop infrastructure that supports self-driving cars.

The web of partnerships Lyft is creating in addition to its in-house self-driving car program may be an attempt to make up for lost time. Uber and other cars have been developing the technology for years, making Lyft a relative latecomer. In contrast to its rival, Uber has largely eschewed partnerships, aside from [a deal with Volvo to supply cars](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/16245/volvo-will-supply-uber-with-24000-self-driving-cars>).

## Author
Stephen has always been passionate about cars, and managed to turn that passion into a career as a freelance automotive journalist. When he's not handling weekend coverage for The Drive, you can find him looking for a new book to read.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/SAEdelstein>)