Tesla’s recent announcement about securing Dutch regulatory green light for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system feels a bit like popping the champagne before the cork’s off. While Tesla painted a rosy picture of the RDW approving FSD by February 2026, the Dutch regulator hit pause, clarifying that Tesla is just expected to demonstrate the system then—not get an all-clear right away.
This disconnect speaks volumes about the complexities in deploying advanced driver assistance technologies across different regulatory landscapes. FSD, despite its name, isn’t truly “full” or “self-driving”—it’s more of a supervised assistant requiring the driver’s constant vigilance. Tesla’s ambitious rollout plans have often outpaced the cautious, safety-first tempo of regulatory bodies, which is prudent given the stakes on public roads.
From a broader innovation standpoint, this incident underscores the tightrope companies walk between generating hype and meeting stringent safety criteria. Regulators aren’t the villains here; they act as gatekeepers ensuring that shiny new tech doesn’t come at the cost of real-world safety. Enthusiasm from consumers and investors is understandable but must be tempered with critical thinking about what these systems can and cannot do today.
For the Tesla fan club and the wider public, the takeaway is clear: Keep your hands on the wheel—both literally and figuratively. Celebrate progress but embrace the regulatory process as a necessary checkpoint rather than bureaucracy gone awry. As FSD inches closer to broader European roads, the dialogue between innovators and overseers will define how quickly and safely we can transition from assisted driving to, perhaps one day, truly autonomous vehicles. Source: Tesla FSD software may not be approved by EU regulator after all
