Tesla changes name of driving system in Europe

Tesla has changed the name of its driving assistance system in Europe from "Full Self-Driving" (FSD) to "Tesla Assisted Driving." This change was made to secure approval from German regulators, who argued that the previous name was misleading, as the system does not fully take over driving responsibilities.

German authorities stress driver responsibility

The German ministry of transport clarified that the driver remains fully responsible for operating the vehicle, emphasizing that the system is only an assistance tool. Despite this, authorities have allowed the system to temporarily exceed the speed limit by up to 10% under certain traffic conditions, as requested by Tesla.

Germany seeks European approval for Tesla's system

German transport minister Steffen Bilger is pushing for rapid approval of Tesla's Assisted Driving system at the European level. He aims for a vote by the end of the year, and France is expected to join Germany in supporting the system after initial resistance and discussions with Elon Musk.

Approval requires support from majority of EU countries

To gain approval, Tesla must secure support from regulators in at least 55% of EU member states, which together represent 65% of the EU population. The first regulator to approve the system was the Dutch RDW in April 2023, followed by seven other countries, though each retains the right to raise its own concerns.

Questions raised about RDW's thoroughness

A Reuters investigation suggests that the Dutch RDW may not have thoroughly examined Tesla's driving assistance systems. Internal communications show that Tesla requested and received a reduction in the precision of certain checks, as well as adjustments to the costs of testing and validation procedures.

Tesla disputes costs and requests adjustments

In April 2025, Tesla contested a 365,000 euro invoice from the RDW, calling the costs "extremely high" and demanding a detailed breakdown. A week later, an RDW agent proposed ways to reduce the effort required from Tesla, indicating a willingness to accommodate the company's requests.

Elon Musk criticizes European regulators

Elon Musk and his team have accused European regulators of delaying approval by "not saving lives." During Tesla's annual shareholders' meeting, Musk mocked European regulators, calling their discussions "crazy" and likening them to a "Frank Kafka novel." He also encouraged European customers to pressure regulators for faster approval.

Experts doubt Tesla's safety claims

Experts have criticized Tesla's claims about the safety of its driving assistance systems. They argue that Tesla's studies do not conclusively show a reduction in fatal accidents. The company's research uses indirect indicators like honking and braking, which may not accurately reflect real-world safety improvements.

Study comparisons may be flawed

Tesla's study compares trips with and without FSD, but experts point out that the data is skewed. The study focuses on trips made by professional Tesla drivers, who are more familiar with the system than the general public. The number of kilometers driven with FSD is also much lower than those driven manually, making the comparison less reliable.