Drivers of Tesla's upcoming "flying" Roadster may need more than a standard driver's license to operate the vehicle, according to a report by Wired.
The electric car, which Tesla boss Elon Musk has billed as a "flying" car, was showcased in a demonstration in McGregor, Texas, on Thursday. During the event, the Roadster appeared to hover and move through the air, propelled by a system of cold gas thrusters, before landing.
Production for the Roadster is slated to begin in 2028. The vehicle's unique capabilities could subject it to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversight, which governs aerial vehicles.
"The [Federal Aviation Administration] has jurisdiction over any machine that leaves the surface of the earth," Scott Miller, a pilot who lectures on aviation at San José State University, told Wired. He added that the vehicle "is going to introduce a whole set of regulatory issues."
Former FAA official Michael McCormick indicated to Wired that such oversight would likely require drivers to obtain special licenses. The FAA review process itself could take "at least a year."
Musk expressed satisfaction with the demonstration, posting on X after the event, "Turns out the future does have flying cars."
The report noted that the Roadster demonstration featured an unmanned vehicle, as Musk stated the company "didn't want to kill anyone." The vehicle was seen driving upside down on a curved ramp, then turning in the air and landing. It also appeared to vault over a row of cars on the ground.
This development comes as other advanced aerial technologies are progressing. Air taxis are reportedly in the final stages of FAA regulation, and lawmakers have requested FAA reviews for other aerial technologies, such as Amazon's delivery drones.
The FAA and Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the potential regulatory requirements for the Roadster.
