Tesla to launch advanced self-driving system in the Netherlands, pending approval

Tesla plans to introduce its advanced Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system in the Netherlands in the near future. The system allows Tesla drivers to navigate traffic hands-free, provided they stay alert at all times. At first, it will be limited to demonstrations, but Tesla aims for regular drivers to be able to use the self-driving technology on public roads later this spring.

Tesla announced on Friday that starting February 16, its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system will be showcased during test drives at select Tesla Stores across the Netherlands. The system is already fully available in Australia, Canada, China, Mexico, New Zealand, and the United States.

Existing driver-assistance systems in the Netherlands are primarily designed for highways, helping vehicles stay in their lanes and maintain distance. Tesla’s new Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system can go further, navigating complex city streets, handling turns at intersections, and negotiating roundabouts.

Tesla still needs official approval before the system can be used on public roads. A company spokesperson said they expect the RDW, the Netherlands’ vehicle authority, to grant permission soon. The RDW had earlier planned to issue a decision in February, but a spokeswoman declined to comment, noting that the agency typically does not discuss ongoing approval applications.

In November, the RDW broke its usual silence following a post from Tesla on X, where the company, led by Elon Musk, urged drivers to contact the authority about fast-tracking approval of the system. The agency was quickly inundated with messages and felt the need to clarify that such outreach would not affect the approval process. “Approval is only possible once the safety of the system has been convincingly demonstrated,” the RDW stressed.

Tesla stresses that its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system does not make its vehicles fully autonomous. Drivers must remain actively attentive at all times. The system issues a warning if it detects inattention, and can deactivate itself if the driver fails to respond. “The driver remains legally responsible at all times,” the company emphasized.

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system has faced scrutiny in the United States. In October, the U.S. traffic authority NHTSA launched an investigation into 2.9 million Teslas following reports that self-driving vehicles had committed traffic violations, some leading to accidents and injuries.