Netherlands first in Europe to approve Tesla supervised driver-assist system

Self-driving-capable Tesla vehicles with the “Full Self-Driving Supervised” (FSD) system have been approved for use on Dutch roads, making the Netherlands the first European country to authorize the technology, the national vehicle authority said.

The approval was issued by the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW), which said it tested and evaluated the system for about 18 months. The agency concluded that, when used correctly, the system can make a positive contribution to road safety. However, it stressed that drivers remain fully responsible at all times and must maintain control of the vehicle.

Under the approval, drivers are not allowed to engage in activities such as using a phone or reading a book while driving. Drivers must maintain their focus on the road and be prepared to take immediate control of the steering. The RDW emphasized that vehicles equipped with FSD are not truly self-driving but instead function as driver-assist systems.

The system continuously monitors driver attention while the vehicle is in motion. If it detects that the driver is not paying sufficient attention, it issues a warning. Drivers may then be required to demonstrate that they are alert. In extreme cases, the system can be temporarily disabled and cannot be reactivated.

The RDW said it will submit an application to the European Commission seeking broader approval across the European Union. If accepted, EU member states would vote on whether to allow the system on a bloc-wide basis.

Tesla vehicles have been allowed to use FSD in the United States for extended periods. However, the RDW said the American systems are not directly comparable to those that will operate in the Netherlands, citing differences in software versions used in the U.S. fleet.