SANTA ANA, California — An Orange County rideshare passenger says he recorded a disturbing moment when his Uber driver appeared to fall asleep behind the wheel of a Tesla operating in Full Self-Driving mode during an early morning trip, raising fresh concerns about the safe use of the vehicle’s driver-assistance technology.
The passenger, who shared cellphone footage with KTLA, said the incident occurred on July 6 while traveling from Yorba Linda to Santa Ana. According to the rider, the Tesla continued driving along the 91, 57 and 5 freeways as the driver appeared to be asleep.
Passenger Records Driver Appearing to Sleep
The video, reportedly recorded shortly after 3:30 a.m., shows the driver’s head repeatedly bobbing forward and backward while his hands appear to be off the steering wheel. The Tesla continued moving as the vehicle’s Full Self-Driving system remained engaged.
At one point in the footage, the passenger can be heard asking, “You good, man?” The driver appears to briefly stir but does not respond to the question.
The rider said he became increasingly concerned as the vehicle continued traveling on Southern California freeways without any visible input from the driver.
Uber Customer Says Refund Was Denied
After the ride ended, the passenger contacted Uber to report the incident, describing the situation as unsafe.
According to the customer, the company apologized for the experience but informed him that the trip did not qualify for a refund. He also said he chose not to report the incident to law enforcement.
The company has not publicly commented on the specific allegations.
Similar Tesla Incidents Have Been Reported
The latest incident is one of several cases in California involving Tesla drivers who appeared to be asleep while using the company’s Full Self-Driving system.
Earlier this month, another Orange County passenger reportedly captured video of an Uber driver who also appeared to be asleep during a trip to Costa Mesa. Previous footage has also shown drivers apparently sleeping behind the wheel on Interstate 5 near Camp Pendleton, as well as separate incidents in Los Angeles, Temecula, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
While the circumstances of each case differ, the videos have renewed debate over how some drivers are using advanced driver-assistance technology.
Tesla Requires Drivers to Remain Attentive
According to Tesla’s safety guidelines, Full Self-Driving does not make a vehicle fully autonomous. The company instructs drivers to remain alert, keep their attention on the road, and be prepared to take control of the vehicle at any time.
The California Highway Patrol has also previously emphasized that motorists must remain awake, conscious and sober while operating a moving vehicle, regardless of whether driver-assistance features are activated.
Tesla continues to be California’s best-selling electric vehicle brand, with the Model Y remaining the state’s top-selling vehicle in 2025.
What are your thoughts on the use of advanced driver-assistance technology? Should stricter enforcement be introduced for drivers who misuse systems like Tesla’s Full Self-Driving mode? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
