Netherlands approves Tesla supervised self-driving system in European first

Saturday 11 - 14:15

The Netherlands has granted provisional approval for Tesla’s supervised self-driving system, marking a first for the technology in Europe and signaling a potential shift in the region’s approach to advanced driver assistance systems.

The Dutch vehicle authority, known as the RDW, confirmed that it has authorized the use of Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving Supervised” system under specific conditions. Despite its name, the system does not enable fully autonomous driving and requires a driver to remain attentive and ready to take control at all times.

The approval follows extensive testing and evaluation conducted over more than a year, with regulators concluding that the technology can contribute positively to road safety when used correctly. Officials emphasized that responsibility ultimately remains with the driver, who must continuously monitor the vehicle’s behavior.

Tesla has already deployed similar systems in the United States, where millions of vehicles are equipped with the feature as an optional upgrade. The company welcomed the Dutch decision, indicating that the rollout in the Netherlands is expected to begin soon.

The move could pave the way for broader adoption across Europe. However, any expansion to other European Union countries will require additional approval at the EU level, including support from a majority of member states.

Regulators are expected to submit a formal request to the European Commission to seek recognition of the authorization across the bloc. If approved, the system could be introduced more widely, although national authorities would still retain oversight of its implementation.

The decision reflects growing interest in balancing technological innovation with safety concerns, as governments and industry players navigate the evolving landscape of autonomous mobility.