Tesla has announced that the Dutch authority RDW has agreed to grant approval for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) features in the Netherlands by February 2026. This development could pave the way for Tesla’s advanced driver-assistance system to be offered across Europe, pending regulatory compliance.
The company’s European division stated that they are working closely with RDW to gain an exemption under Article 39 of EU law for FSD Supervised, a version where drivers remain fully responsible and supervisory. This process involves proving adherence to existing regulations while also seeking exemptions for behaviors not yet covered by legislation.
RDW confirmed the timeline but emphasized that Tesla must prove compliance with requirements by February 2026. The authority’s statement clarifies the procedure for introducing new technology in Europe when no specific legislation exists, which can involve securing an exemption from market approval through a European application process.
Tesla has been testing FSD across multiple EU countries and claims to have covered over one million kilometers of driving data. However, the company faces challenges due to outdated regulations that could render FSD illegal in its current form. Tesla argues that altering FSD to comply with these rules would compromise safety and usability.
The European Commission will play a crucial role in evaluating any exemption requests from member states on behalf of manufacturers like Tesla. This process highlights the ongoing efforts by automakers to navigate regulatory frameworks while advancing autonomous driving technology.
While Tesla’s FSD may become available in Europe by 2026, the approval timeline and conditions underscore the complexities involved in deploying advanced driver-assistance systems across different national regulations within the EU.
