European Safety Group Urged Rejection of Tesla Full Self-Driving
The group cites a system feature that could allow drivers to exceed speed limits by up to 50 percent.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Automotive — General
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The European Transport Safety Council has formally requested that European Union member states reject the approval of Tesla Full Self-Driving. The request stems from concerns regarding a specific speed offset function that allows the system to exceed detected speed limits.
Why it matters
The safety group argues that this function could compromise roadway safety, as the system does not have the necessary exemptions from United Nations Economic Commission speed limit regulations. This opposition has stalled the path to wider adoption of the driver-assistance technology across the region.
The Tesla system features an offset function that allows vehicles to travel 50% faster than detected speed limits. This feature was not included in the initial approval granted by the Dutch regulator RDW in April.
The players
European Transport Safety Council
An independent non-profit organization based in Sweden that advocates for transport safety policy and regulation in the European Union.
Tesla
A global manufacturer known for its electric vehicles and the development of the Full Self-Driving driver-assistance system.
RDW
The Netherlands vehicle authority and regulator responsible for the approval and certification of motor vehicles.
The details
Tesla Full Self-Driving manages steering and vehicle speed while requiring constant driver attention to monitor surroundings. The system uses a feature designed to match driving speeds to surrounding traffic flow, but the European Transport Safety Council warns that the speed offset capability could allow speeds that violate established transport safety rules. Because Tesla has not sought specific exemptions from United Nations Economic Commission standards, regulators in countries like Sweden, France, and the Czech Republic have raised objections.
Timeline
April 2026: The Dutch regulator RDW approved Tesla Full Self-Driving.
September 29, 2026: The European Transport Safety Council urged the EU to reject the system.
December 2026: This is the earliest currently expected timeframe for an EU-wide approval vote.
The Home Front
This development highlights the ongoing tension between rapid advancements in vehicle automation software and established United Nations Economic Commission speed limit regulations. It marks a significant departure from the initial approval granted by Dutch authorities earlier this year.
If you are currently using driver-assistance features, monitor your vehicle's speed settings to ensure you are manually controlling velocity in accordance with local posted limits. Always maintain active supervision of the system as mandated by the manufacturer's safety documentation.
The takeaway
The uncertainty surrounding European approval underscores the importance of verifying that driver-assistance tools comply with regional safety standards. Owners should check their software version and settings to understand how their car interacts with local speed limits.
What happens next
European Union member states are expected to hold a vote on the EU-wide approval of the system no earlier than December 2026.
Further reading
For more updates on vehicle safety standards and emerging technology, see our Automotive — General section.
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