Tesla renames self-driving software in Europe

Tesla has officially removed the “Full Self-Driving” name from its European websites, replacing it with “Tesla Assisted Driving” (TAD). The rebranding, which took effect on October 8, follows pressure from the German transport ministry. Authorities argued the original name was misleading because the system only assists with steering, acceleration, and braking, rather than providing true autonomous driving. Drivers must still maintain constant supervision and keep their hands ready on the wheel.

In Denmark, the Danish Road Safety Authority approved the system for use on roads as of June 2026, following a Dutch approval. Denmark is one of nine EU member states, including Belgium, Slovenia, and Croatia, that have permitted the technology. While the software remains technically identical to the version marketed as “Full Self-Driving (Supervised)” in the United States, the European marketing has been tightened to comply with regional regulatory standards.

Separately, Tesla plans to begin selling its steering-wheel-less Cybercab to private fleet owners by the end of the year. Although production has begun at the Texas Gigafactory, the software required for unsupervised autonomous driving is not expected to be ready for public use until the second quarter of 2027.