Tesla FSD review under scrutiny following Dutch regulator correspondence

Internal correspondence between Tesla and the Dutch vehicle regulator, RDW, suggests the company influenced the safety review process for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised system. Reports indicate that Tesla provided safety data and driving comparisons using methodologies that experts have questioned.

Following a dispute over a €365,000 invoice, the RDW reportedly scaled back parts of its safety review and adjusted testing procedures, including replacing in-person inspections with video conferences. While the RDW conducted 13,000 kilometers of real-world testing, this figure is significantly lower than the millions of kilometers typically required by conventional automotive manufacturers.

The review relied on hybrid data, combining RDW’s own testing with data analysis provided by Tesla. Tesla employees described the approval process as ‘mission critical’ for company leadership. While the RDW has granted temporary approval, with several other European countries following suit, a decisive EU-wide decision regarding FSD Supervised is expected in December 2026.