Tesla electric vehicles are parked at a service center on Aug. 2, 2025, in San Diego.

California’s many Tesla dealerships are now under threat. The head of California’s Department of Motor Vehicles said on Tuesday that if the carmaker does not correct its “misleading” branding of “Autopilot,” Tesla will be blocked from selling cars in the state for 30 days.

DMV Director Steve Gordon told members of the press that an administrative judge had recommended the suspension and that the DMV has opted to give Tesla 90 days from Tuesday to come into compliance. “We want to give them a chance,” Gordon said, “you could argue, one more chance, to be able to remedy the situation.” The judge also suggested a manufacturing pause, but the DMV is opting not to enforce it, Gordon said.

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The ruling and threatened pause on sales come after a yearslong legal

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