China-based autonomous driving start-up WeRide has received approval to test its driverless vehicles with passengers in California.

The permit from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which lasts three years, allows WeRide to test its vehicles with passengers both with a driver and without one. However, the company is not allowed to offer rides to the general public and cannot charge fares.

The move comes as WeRide begins the process to go public on the US stock market at a valuation of nearly $5bn. However, Reuters reports that this is despite the US considering a ban on Chinese-connected vehicles, including autonomous vehicles.

WeRide, founded in 2017, claims to be the first autonomous driving company in the world and is operating and testing in 30 cities across seven countries.

The start-up, which makes autonomous cars, vans, buses and street sweepers, holds permits to drive autonomously on public roads in Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.

In June 2024, WeRide launched...