Apple has received a permit from the California DMV to test self-driving cars in the state, according to an update to the agency's website, first spotted by Business Insider. This follows a letter from Apple to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in November, in which the company expressed interest in exploring self-driving cars.

Why it matters: Apple has been rumored to be working on a car project of some sort for the last couple of years, though it has reportedly had troubles finding a direction.

Not so fast: While a permit from the DMV indicates the company is testing, or planning to test, self-driving car technology, whether that's the extent of what Apple is developing remains unclear. As with other projects in its past, it could also never come to market.