The Dutch vehicle authority RDW announced that it will postpone the approval of Tesla’s Full Self‑Driving (FSD) software until February 2026, after the company demonstrates that the system meets the authority’s safety requirements. The decision means that Tesla’s planned rollout of FSD across European markets will be delayed, as the approval is contingent on the outcome of a safety demonstration scheduled for February.
The delay reflects the EU’s evolving regulatory framework for automated vehicles, which requires a clear safety case for every maneuver. RDW’s cautious stance is driven by its priority of road safety, and it has made it clear that the February 2026 date is for a demonstration and evaluation, not a guaranteed approval. Tesla’s strategy to secure a national exemption in the Netherlands—hoping that a Dutch approval will be recognized by other EU member states—highlights the company’s attempt to navigate the EU’s precautionary regulatory environment while maintaining its iterative, data‑driven development model.
The postponement is expected to slow Tesla’s revenue growth in Europe, as the company’s autonomous‑vehicle revenue stream is tied to the availability of FSD. The delay also gives competitors a relative advantage, as other automakers are advancing their own autonomous‑vehicle programs under the same EU regulations. Tesla’s public engagement—encouraging followers to contact RDW—was met with a request from the authority to stop, underscoring the regulatory friction and the company’s frustration with the process.
Tesla’s management has described European regulations as “outdated and rule‑based,” arguing that modifying the software to comply would make it unsafe or unusable. The company’s push for a national exemption is part of a broader strategy to accelerate its autonomous‑vehicle rollout, but the RDW’s insistence on a safety demonstration signals a significant regulatory hurdle that Tesla must overcome before it can monetize FSD in Europe.
The regulatory scrutiny of Tesla’s FSD is not limited to Europe; the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is also conducting safety probes into Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD systems. The European delay therefore adds to a growing global regulatory environment that is increasingly demanding rigorous safety evidence for autonomous‑vehicle technologies.
In summary, the RDW’s decision to defer Tesla’s FSD approval until a February 2026 demonstration underscores the tension between Tesla’s rapid innovation cycle and the EU’s safety‑first regulatory approach. The delay will likely affect Tesla’s European expansion strategy and could influence the company’s broader autonomous‑vehicle roadmap, making it a significant event for investors and industry observers alike.
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