California Regulators Tell Uber To Stop Self-Driving Service

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS13/AP) — California regulators have said Uber must stop its self-driving car service in San Francisco until it gets a state permit.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles issued a statement on Tuesday saying the company ride-sharing service must get a permit before it can continue its testing in San Francisco.

The Wednesday launch in Uber's hometown expands a public pilot program the company started in Pittsburgh in September. The testing lets everyday people experience the cars as Uber works to identify glitches before expanding the technology's use in San Francisco and elsewhere.

California law, however, requires a test permit for "autonomous vehicles," and Uber does not have one. The company argues that the law doesn't apply because its cars require a human backup - so while they are self-driving, they are not autonomous.