Tesla debunked by regulator over Full-Self Driving approval claim
Over the weekend, Tesla’s official account for the European market sparked excitement among its followers by announcing that the Dutch regulator, RDW, had approved the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) driver-assistance system for the European Union. However, this announcement was met with swift denial from the RDW, which clarified that no such approval had been granted. Instead, the regulator emphasized that while they have established a timeline with Tesla for the evaluation of FSD, any decision regarding its approval is not expected until February 2026. The RDW’s statement was clear: they urged Tesla fans to refrain from bombarding them with inquiries about the approval process, asserting that such communications would not influence their decision, which will be based solely on safety considerations.
This miscommunication raises questions about Tesla’s intentions and the pressure it may be attempting to exert on regulatory bodies. The celebratory post from Tesla not only encouraged fans to express their gratitude to RDW via a provided link but also suggested a sense of urgency surrounding the approval process. This aligns with comments made by Elon Musk during Tesla’s recent annual shareholder meeting, where he openly requested that European customers advocate for the approval of FSD to regulators. Despite having rolled out the FSD feature in the U.S. and other countries, Tesla faces significant regulatory hurdles in Europe. The approval from RDW is seen as a pivotal milestone that could pave the way for broader acceptance of FSD across the EU.
The situation illustrates the complex relationship between innovative technology and regulatory frameworks. While Tesla continues to push the boundaries of autonomous driving, the need for thorough safety assessments remains paramount. The RDW’s insistence on a methodical approach underscores the importance of ensuring that new technologies do not compromise road safety. As Tesla navigates these regulatory landscapes, the interaction between public enthusiasm, corporate messaging, and regulatory diligence will be critical in shaping the future of autonomous driving in Europe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0ch0D_18PA
Over the weekend, Tesla’s official X account for the European market was elated over Dutch regulator RDW’s approval of the company’s Full Self-Driving driver-assistance system for the EU.
One problem. RDW says this isn’t true. In an update, the regulator said it has not committed to giving Tesla approval regarding FSD. Also, they’d like Tesla fans to please stop contacting them about it, too.
“RDW has committed to granting Netherlands National approval in February 2026,” read the
celebratory yet apparently premature post
from Tesla’s X account. “Please contact them via link below to express your excitement & thank them for making this happen as soon as possible.”
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And, as mentioned in its post, Tesla even provided a link to the regulator’s contact page so Tesla fans could thank RDW.
On Monday, RDW
posted a statement
to its website specifically addressing the X post from Tesla. According to RDW, the regulator did put together a schedule alongside Tesla, which states the company must show that FSD Supervised meets the regulatory safety requirements in February 2026. RDW specifies that while it won’t divulge specific details, Tesla is aware of what it needs to demonstrate in order for FSD to be approved at that time.
Furthermore, it appears Tesla fans did contact RDW regarding FSD approval, as the regulator had to specifically request that Tesla supporters stop calling and wasting their time. RDW also explicitly mentions in its statement that any contact with the regulator from Tesla fans will have no influence on RDW’s decision regarding FSD approval, as a decision will be purely dependent on road safety concerns.
So, was the Tesla post an attempt to pressure RDW into giving Tesla the approval it desires?
As
Bloomberg
points out, Musk’s statements during Tesla’s annual shareholders meeting earlier this month strongly point to that possibility.
“Pressure from our customers in Europe to push the regulators to approve would be appreciated,” Musk said in the meeting.
Despite rolling out Full Self-Driving in the U.S. and a few other countries years ago, Tesla has not been able to do so in Europe. According to Elon Musk’s EV company, Tesla’s “main path to success is partnering with the Dutch approval authority RDW to gain exemption for the feature.” According to
TechCrunch
, approval with RDW is a critical first step toward wider approval throughout the EU.
