Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software has officially launched in Europe, following approval last week by the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW). The rollout ends years of anticipation for European owners, who until now had access only to a more limited driver-assist system.
The approval marks a significant milestone for Tesla, which CEO Elon Musk described as navigating a "layer cake of bureaucracy" to bring the advanced system to the continent. FSD is designed to allow Tesla electric vehicles to drive themselves almost anywhere under human supervision.
Initial Impressions: Excitement and Local Quirks
Early adopters in the Netherlands have reported overwhelmingly positive, if not flawless, first experiences. "It's like stepping into the future. It's amazing," said Tim de Kraker, a venture developer from Zutphen, who used his first FSD test-drive to take his son to school.
Owners have tested the system on some of Europe's most challenging urban roads, including the tight, bike and tram-filled streets of Amsterdam. While reporting no major safety issues, some noted the software is still adapting to local road features uncommon in the United States.
Patrick Sannes, a Model Y owner near Gouda, described a moment where FSD became confused by roadworks on a roundabout, causing it to circle three times before he took manual control. "I'm very excited that we now have it. And this is the worst version of FSD we will ever have," said entrepreneur Thijs van Schadewijk, who tested it in heavy Amsterdam traffic.
Regulatory Differences and a Mandatory Quiz
The European launch includes specific adaptations to meet stricter regional regulations. Unlike in the US, new users must watch an instructional video and complete a two-question quiz before activating FSD. The quiz confirms drivers understand they must supervise the system and remain responsible for the vehicle.
Furthermore, the European version replaces US-style driving profiles (like 'Chill' or 'Mad Max') with a setting that allows drivers to specify a maximum speed relative to the limit. Alex Nichiporchik, CEO of tinyBuild and a long-time Tesla owner, noted, "The rules here are much stricter than in the US."
Hardware Limitations Spark Owner Frustration
The celebration is not universal. The current rollout appears limited to vehicles equipped with Tesla's newer Hardware 4, excluding owners of cars built before 2023 which use Hardware 3. This has sparked significant discontent among early adopters who paid for FSD years ago.
Mischa Sigtermans, who bought FSD for his 2019 Model 3, has started a website to gather European owners for potential collective legal action. He claims Tesla's past marketing promised his car's hardware would support future FSD capabilities. "It's just the promise of this specific car that they made that they can't deliver," Sigtermans stated. His site has attracted around 1,900 verified owners.
Tesla's website states European owners can transfer FSD to a new vehicle—an option removed in the US in March—but Sigtermans argues he shouldn't have to buy a new car to access the 6,800 euro ($8,050) software he purchased. Tesla did not respond to a request for comment on the matter.