RDW prepares to evaluate Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system

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Tesla eyes EU approval for FSD

RDW and Tesla set a schedule under which Tesla is expected to demonstrate in February 2026 that FSD Supervised meets the required standards; any approval depends on the safety evidence. The company believes this step could pave the way for wider use across the European Union.

Regulators have quickly clarified that no approval is yet guaranteed. The February timeline serves as a checkpoint for Tesla to demonstrate that it meets safety requirements, not a guarantee of approval.

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RDW sets the record straight

Elon Musk has openly criticized Europe’s slower approval process for driver-assistance technology. Musk has said on earnings calls and on X that FSD is or will be safer than human driving; regulators treat this as Tesla’s claim, not an established fact.

He argues that regulatory delays could actually reduce safety for drivers on European roads. Despite these claims, regulators continue to require driver supervision, meaning FSD is not fully hands-off at all times; users must remain alert at all times.

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What FSD actually does

FSD helps a Tesla navigate traffic, recognize and respond to road signs, and react safely to other vehicles. Drivers must remain alert and ready to take control at any moment.

Tesla presents FSD as a step toward hands-free driving in the future. In Austin, Tesla is running a small supervised robotaxi pilot; vehicles still require safety monitors and are not fully driverless.

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U.S. vs. Europe testing rules

In the U.S., Tesla deploys beta driver-assistance features to customer vehicles on public roads, with oversight and investigations by the NHTSA ongoing. This allows faster software iteration and the collection of real-world data to improve the system.

Europe requires formal approval before any wide-scale use of driver-assistance technology. Each feature must meet strict safety standards, which slows the rollout compared to the more permissive testing rules that allow for faster deployment in America.

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How EU approval works

The Netherlands can submit a request for an EU exemption for features like FSD. This triggers a formal review under European regulations to ensure the technology meets safety requirements.

If the exemption is approved, other EU countries can recognize it. If the vote fails, Tesla will have to pursue approval in each country individually, which will delay broader adoption and make the Europe-wide rollout a slower and more complex process.

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Why February 2026 matters

February 2026 is the agreed milestone for Tesla to demonstrate FSD Supervised against the required standards; it is not a guaranteed approval date. It is a milestone for evaluation, not a guaranteed approval date.

Regulators will carefully analyze all testing data to ensure public safety. Tesla’s ability to expand FSD in Europe depends entirely on demonstrating that the system works reliably and safely in real-world conditions.

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Tesla’s financial motivation

FSD costs $8,000 upfront or $99 per month, making it one of Tesla’s most valuable software products, according to EVDANCE. Approval in Europe could significantly increase the company’s revenue streams.

Recurring subscriptions from FSD could help Tesla maintain profit margins even if vehicle sales slow. The company is highly motivated to expand its software business globally, using Europe as a potential springboard for future international growth.

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RDW tells customers to stop lobbying

Tesla asked owners to contact RDW to show support for FSD approval. RDW responded that such lobbying has no impact and creates unnecessary work for staff.

The authority thanked those who already reached out, but emphasized that decisions will depend solely on safety testing. Public enthusiasm, social media campaigns, or customer pressure cannot influence the regulatory review process.

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Supervised vs. full autonomy

Even with FSD, drivers must keep their hands on the wheel and remain alert. The system is not fully autonomous anywhere in the world and requires continuous supervision.

Tesla markets the idea of future hands-free updates, but regulators will only approve the system after thorough testing has been conducted. Until then, supervision is mandatory to ensure safety on all roads where FSD is used.

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Tesla’s U.S. robotaxi pilot

In Austin, Texas, Tesla is running a small-scale driverless robotaxi program with Model Y vehicles. This pilot is helping gather valuable real-world data for potential expansion.

The program is limited but provides useful insights into how autonomous vehicles perform in daily traffic. Tesla aims to grow the pilot if technology and regulations allow, using it as a testing ground for broader deployment.

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Europe’s cautious approach

Europe relies on formal type-approval and exemption procedures before broad deployment of new driver-assistance technologies. Each system is evaluated feature by feature to ensure it meets strict safety standards for public roads.

Even if the Netherlands signs off, other countries may require separate evaluations. Tesla cannot assume EU-wide approval without passing these careful reviews, making the expansion process slower and more structured than in the U.S.

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Global ambitions for FSD

Tesla hopes EU approval will open doors to other markets like China. An international rollout could generate recurring revenue and expand the company’s FSD subscription base globally.

Approval in multiple regions would also strengthen Tesla’s leadership in autonomous driving technology. It would help justify the cost of its software subscriptions and expand adoption among drivers worldwide.

EU safety standards prevent the Tesla Cybertruck from being used on German roads. So stay informed if you’re considering future Tesla models.

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