Netherlands Approves Tesla FSD (Supervised) for Use Under Strict Controls

Overview

• RDW, the Dutch vehicle authority, granted national type approval after more than 18 months of testing that covered over 1.6 million kilometers, 13,000 ride‑alongs, 4,500 track scenarios, and 400-plus compliance checks.
• Tesla has begun a restricted rollout in the Netherlands using a Europe‑specific software build that works only within Dutch borders and requires a safety quiz before first use.
• Only cars with Tesla’s newer HW4 computer can turn on the feature at launch, and the company has not confirmed timing for older hardware.
• The system is classified under UN Regulation 171 as Level 2 driver assistance, so the driver stays legally responsible and camera‑based monitoring can disable the feature if attention lapses.
• RDW will submit the approval for an EU member‑state vote on wider recognition, and Tesla executives say UN‑ECE alignment could also ease recognition in non‑EU countries such as the UK, Norway, Switzerland, and Turkey.