The positive figure follows a year of plunging sales due to an aging lineup and boycotts over Elon Musk's political stands.
Chinese rival BYD, which sold 2.26 vehicles last year, is now the biggest EV maker.
The probe covers 2,882,566 vehicles, essentially all Teslas equipped with full self-driving technology.
Analysts expected sales to fall slightly to 456,000, even with a boost from customers seeking to use the electric vehicle incentive.
Authorities are cleaning up after a semi-truck hauling Tesla batteries rolled over onto I-80 west near Hirschdale.
The new figures also are a possible sign that Tesla could disappoint when it announces second quarter earnings later this month.
Tesla delivered its first semi in December 2022 to PepsiCo, which placed an order for 100 trucks back in 2017.
In its latest update, Gigafactory Nevada reported record battery pack production while semi-truck factory construction continues east of Sparks.
CEO Elon Musk said the 'Cybercab' doesn't have steering wheels or pedals. Tesla expects the Cybercabs to cost under $30,000.
Tesla’s deliveries rose after falling in the first and second quarters.