An AV deployment permit is a necessary condition for commercial (paid) AV operations, such as a paid robotaxi ride-hail service. (Note that ride-hail additionally requires CPUC approval).

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-industry-services/autonomous-vehicles/autonomous-vehicle-testing-permit-holders/

Autonomous Vehicle Testing Permit Holders - California DMV

Permit holders who are allowed to test autonomous vehicles

This question will resolve to YES if ZOOX shows up as having had a driverless deployment permit during <TITLE YEAR>, according to the DMV website's list above, using the "as of MONTH DAY, YEAR" date. Previously the DMV website has taken a few days to update, so the close time is a bit after the end of <TITLE YEAR>.

This question will resolve to NO if either (1) it does not appear on the list by close time, or (2) if it does appear but the "as of" date is after Dec 31, <TITLE YEAR>.