France authorizes Tesla Full Self-Driving road tests

France has reversed its previous stance on Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, authorizing road tests for two vehicles equipped with the system. This decision follows a videoconference between French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot and Elon Musk, which the minister described as a “constructive exchange.”

Previously, in July, France had rejected the technology, citing safety concerns such as the system’s tendency to exceed speed limits to match traffic flow. The new testing phase aims to evaluate the system’s performance in real-world conditions and address technical adaptations required for French and European standards. This move comes as several other European nations, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, and Lithuania, have already granted varying levels of permission.

The outcome of these tests is expected by late September and will influence France’s position in an upcoming European Union vote. On October 6, the EU’s technical committee for motor vehicles will vote on several dispensations requested by Tesla. If approved at the EU level, the technology could see wider deployment across the union.

In parallel, Tesla has released safety statistics claiming its FSD system results in significantly fewer collisions compared to manual driving. However, these figures have faced scrutiny from European regulators and safety experts regarding their methodology and the lack of independent audits.