📝 April 11, 2026 Update: This article was originally published on March 24, 2026 and has been significantly revised and expanded following the official RDW approval on April 10 and the RDW’s official public statement.
As this is a developing story, we will continue to update as new information emerges regarding EU-wide rollout and additional official announcements.
Table of Contents
Introduction
“In February 2026, FSD will be approved in Europe and China.”
That’s what Elon Musk said at Davos in January 2026. The Chinese government denied it within 24 hours. February came and went in Europe. Then March. Nothing happened. And then, on April 10, the Netherlands finally granted official approval.
As it turned out, this time it was the real deal.
Looking back at the history of Tesla’s FSD European rollout, a cycle of “optimistic announcement → last-minute delay → new date announcement” has repeated itself over the four years since 2022. Tesla owners in the EU have experienced this so many times that “believe it when you see it” has become their motto.
So what made this April 10 different?
This article looks back at that question. We’ll review the regulatory and technical background leading up to the Netherlands approval, dissect the mechanism for EU-wide rollout, and consider what this means for Tesla owners in Japan. At the end, we revisit the question raised in the introduction: This time it was real — and the approval came through, with conditions. Here’s the full story, step by step.
Tesla’s 4-Year War with EU Regulations — A History of Delays
First, let’s review the history. It has been four years since Tesla first said FSD European deployment was “coming soon.”
| Date | Tesla/Musk Statement | Actual Result |
|---|---|---|
| Summer 2022 | Musk: “FSD coming to Europe soon” | Never materialized |
| End of 2024 | “European approval planned for early 2025” | Did not happen |
| November 2025 | Tesla Europe: “RDW has committed to February 2026 approval” | RDW denied and corrected the next day |
| January 2026 (Davos) | Musk: “Approved in Europe and China by February” | China denied within 24 hours, Europe also missed |
| March 20, 2026 | Original approval date (Musk’s declaration) | Delayed due to ongoing document review; changed to April 10 |
| April 10, 2026 | RDW official approval | Approved ✔ |
Looking at this alone, skepticism was entirely rational. However, the developments in March 2026 were structurally different from past delays.
In every past delay, the lack of approval only became clear after the fact. The classic example was RDW denying Tesla’s “February approval” announcement the very next day. This time, Tesla reached the concrete milestone of “completing the final test phase and submitting all required documents,” and RDW itself issued an unprecedented official statement confirming it was “in the final stage of evaluation.”
The phrase “we won’t rush the final decision” was certainly a cause for concern. But the expression “final stage of evaluation” had never appeared in any previous delay situation. That’s exactly what made this April 10 different — and ultimately, the approval came through.
Why the Netherlands? — Dissecting the Article 39 Strategy
Why has Tesla concentrated so many resources on the Netherlands, just one EU member state? The answer lies in the use of Article 39 (EU Type-Approval Exception Measures) — a legitimate regulatory pathway that sidesteps conventional type-approval.
Why Tesla FSD Doesn’t Fit Existing Frameworks
To certify driver assistance functions in Europe, compliance with UN R-171 (DCAS: Driver Control Assistance Systems regulation) is required. The problem is that UN R-171 is a “rules-based” framework. Tesla’s FSD (Supervised) uses neural networks (AI) to assess surroundings in real time and respond to any road situation. Fitting this into regulations designed for systems that “only operate under defined conditions” inevitably creates parts that don’t fit.
After 18 months of negotiations with RDW, Tesla rejected partial compliance with regulations on the grounds that “full compliance with regulations would compromise safety,” and instead pursued a strategy using Article 39 (Article 39 of EU Directive 2018/858/EC).
What is Article 39?
Article 39 is a framework that allows member states to grant provisional domestic approval for “new technologies not yet regulated,” under certain conditions. Approval takes effect as a provisional measure for up to 18 months (9 months + 9-month extension).
Tesla used this mechanism to build a “Netherlands First strategy” — obtaining approval limited only to the Netherlands, then aiming to spread it across the entire EU.
Tesla Wasn’t the First — BMW and Ford Precedents
It’s worth noting that type-approval for advanced driver assistance systems is not new. In its official statement, RDW cited the following precedents:
- BMW: Already holds approval for hands-off highway driving combined with automated lane changes
- Ford (Blue Cruise): Obtained Article 39 approval for hands-off highway driving
RDW stated that “type-approval for advanced driver assistance systems is not something new” and that it “issues approximately 50,000 type-approvals annually.” Tesla’s FSD approval is not unprecedented special treatment — it is a legitimate use of existing regulatory frameworks.
What Has Tesla Been Doing for 18 Months?
From fall 2024 to March 2026, the scale of the test program conducted by Tesla Europe and RDW was as follows:
- Over 1.6 million km of FSD road testing across 17 EU countries
- Over 13,000 customer ride-alongs
- Over 4,500 track test scenarios
- Thousands of pages of documentation covering over 400 compliance requirements
- Submission of multiple safety research papers
On March 20, 2026, Tesla Europe announced it had formally completed the final vehicle testing phase and submitted all documentation required for UN R-171 approval and Article 39 exception measures. RDW confirmed it was currently in the final evaluation stage.
What Happens After Approval — The EU Domino Mechanism
With RDW approval now confirmed (April 10), how will EU-wide rollout proceed? Here’s how, in three steps.
Step 1: Netherlands Domestic Approval Takes Effect
RDW has issued type-approval under Article 39 for the Netherlands. FSD (Supervised) is now available on Tesla vehicles equipped with HW4/AI4 in the Netherlands. Approval is limited to FSD v14 series (for HW4), and HW3 owners are not covered.
Step 2: Application to the European Commission & Member State Vote
In its official statement, RDW laid out the specific steps required for EU-wide rollout:
- RDW submits the application for EU-wide use to the European Commission
- All member states vote on the application
- A majority vote within the responsible committee (TCMV) is required for approval
If approved, FSD becomes valid across all member states at once. This is not a country-by-country recognition process — it’s a single vote that applies EU-wide. Tesla is targeting EU-wide approval by summer 2026, but opposition from major European automakers’ home countries at the TCMV level is a risk.
| Step | Timeline (Tesla estimate) | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands RDW Approval | April 10, 2026 (Approved ✔) | Netherlands only |
| EU Major Countries Recognition | Spring–Early Summer 2026 | Country by country |
| TCMV Vote / EU-Wide Approval | Summer 2026 (optimistic) | EU 27 countries |
| HW3 FSD v14 Lite EU Rollout | Q4 2026–2027 | HW3 users |
Note for HW3 Users
This approval is limited to HW4 (AI4) vehicles running FSD v14 series. HW3 users will need to wait for FSD v14 Lite, targeted for Q2 2026 in North America.
Impact on Japan — The Day the Netherlands Becomes a Precedent
March 6, 2026: What Started in Shinjuku
Tesla Japan announced testing FSD (Supervised) in Shinjuku, Tokyo, with the goal of domestic introduction in 2026. Tesla Japan’s President Hashimoto stated in a Nikkei interview that he aims to implement it within 2026.
Japan’s Regulatory Hurdles and Breakthrough
The expected regulatory breakthrough is the formal adoption of UNECE’s new ADS regulations in June 2026, using a Safety Case approach.
In October 2025, Japan’s MLIT also established a Special Modification System, creating the legal basis for OTA delivery to approximately 40,000 Tesla vehicles in Japan.
| Scenario | Conditions | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Optimistic | June 2026 UNECE adoption → MLIT swift implementation → Tesla submits safety data | Fall–Winter 2026 |
| Cautious | Delay in domestic implementation post-UNECE → Additional data needed for Japan-specific traffic rules | 2027 or later |
FSD v14.3 — What the Reasoning Feature Changes
On March 19, 2026, Elon Musk posted: “FSD v14.3 is currently in testing. Wide release within a few weeks.” What sets v14.3 apart is the full integration of real-time reasoning into the FSD decision-making process across all domains.
| Version | Hardware | Release | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSD v14.2.2.5 | HW4 only | Current (March 2026) | Partial reasoning implementation |
| FSD v14.3 | HW4 only | Within weeks (April~) | Full reasoning integration, nav improvements |
| FSD v14 Lite | HW3 | Q2 2026 target (North America first) | v14 features optimized for HW3 |
Risks and Concerns — Reasons Not to Celebrate Just Yet
NHTSA Investigation Escalation
The US NHTSA has upgraded its investigation into 3.2 million FSD-equipped vehicles regarding low-visibility safety to an Engineering Analysis. A recall recommendation could affect European and Japanese approval processes.
European Manufacturer Lobbying
TCMV votes could see political opposition from major European automaker home countries. The risk is not technical but political and industrial-policy driven.
Tesla Europe Brand Damage
European registrations fell approximately 27.8% year-on-year in 2025. FSD approval may not directly translate to sales recovery.
The Provisional Nature of Article 39
Approval under Article 39 is valid for up to 18 months (9+9 months). Permanent service requires final formal compliance with UN regulations.
[April 11, 2026 Update] Approval Confirmed — RDW Finally Gives the Green Light on April 10
On April 10, 2026, the Netherlands’ vehicle certification authority RDW (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer) officially approved Tesla’s FSD (Supervised) under Article 39. It had been four years since Musk first said “FSD coming to Europe soon” in the summer of 2022. After delay upon delay, the “believe it when you see it” moment has finally arrived.
In the introduction to this article, we wrote: “I believe this time is different — but with caveats.” And indeed, the approval came through, with conditions attached. The two unprecedented milestones — “all documents submitted” and “RDW in final evaluation stage” — proved the analysis correct.
The approval covers HW4 (AI4) vehicles running FSD v14 series only. HW3 users will continue to wait for “FSD v14 Lite.”
Key Takeaways from the RDW Official Statement — EU FSD Is Different Software from the US Version
On the same day as the approval, RDW published an official statement clarifying several important points.
First, the EU version of FSD Supervised runs different software from the US version. RDW explicitly stated that “the software versions and functionalities of American and European vehicles cannot be compared one-to-one.” In Europe, vehicles require pre-market type-approval from vehicle certification authorities — unlike the US self-certification system — with stricter safety and environmental standards. US-based FSD reviews and reports cannot be directly applied to the European version.
Second, strict driver monitoring is built into the system. When FSD Supervised is active, multiple sensors monitor whether the driver’s eyes are on the road and hands are available to take the wheel. Hands do not need to be on the steering wheel, but must be able to grip it immediately when needed. If inattention is detected, progressive alerts are triggered; persistent inattention results in the system temporarily locking itself. RDW stated that “reading a newspaper behind the wheel is neither permitted nor possible.”
Third, RDW positively assessed the system’s safety. It stated that “this system takes over multiple driving tasks, and when used correctly, makes a positive contribution to road safety” and that “due to continuous strict driver monitoring, the system is safer than other driver assistance systems.” However, it also emphasized that “FSD Supervised is not a self-driving vehicle. The driver remains responsible at all times and must continue to participate in traffic.”
[Update] EU Summer Rollout — Will the Domino Start Falling?
With the Netherlands approval confirmed, we now move to Step 2 of the “EU Domino” outlined earlier in this article. According to the RDW’s official statement, RDW will submit an application to the European Commission, and if a majority of member states vote in favor, FSD will become valid across all EU member states at once.
Tesla Europe has stated that “EU-wide approval is possible by summer 2026,” and Barclays analyst Dan Levy has also commented (Investing.com) that “other EU countries can recognize the Netherlands approval, enabling EU-wide approval during the summer.” A scenario where Germany, France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, and others progressively recognize the approval by summer is becoming increasingly realistic.
However, as discussed in the “What Happens After Approval” section above, formal EU-wide approval via TCMV majority vote is a separate hurdle. The risk of political opposition from representatives of major European automaker home countries remains. The optimistic scenario points to summer; more cautious estimates suggest late Q3 to Q4.
Additionally, Norway — while not an EU member state — has already issued Tesla a 2-year FSD testing permit and is likely to leverage the Netherlands approval data to advance its own domestic approval. The UK is also expected to follow under regulatory cooperation frameworks, though its independent review process means approval would likely come in 2027 or later.
[Update] Unofficial FSD Crackdown — Tesla Disables “Jailbroken” FSD En Masse
On April 9 — the day before the Netherlands approval — Tesla began remotely disabling FSD functionality on vehicles that had been unofficially activated using third-party devices across Europe, China, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and other regions (Tarantas News, Teslarati).
These “jailbreak” tools — USB module devices costing around €500 — connect to the vehicle’s CAN bus to forcibly unlock FSD. They were distributed in Poland, Ukraine, and other countries, with over 100,000 installations in China alone.
Tesla disabled FSD functionality via OTA update and sent in-car notifications and emails with the following warning:
“An unauthorized third-party device has been detected on your vehicle. As a safety precaution, certain driver assistance features have been disabled.”
In some cases, permanent FSD deactivation has been reported. Even owners who legitimately purchased FSD may lose access if an unofficial device is detected.
This move is not unrelated to the timing of the Netherlands approval. Unofficial FSD use creates risks that could complicate the regulatory certification process, meaning Tesla needed to ensure a “clean slate” ahead of formal approval. Now that official European rollout has become a reality, eliminating this gray zone is a rational decision.
Conclusion — Why “This Time Was Different”
Let’s return to the question posed at the beginning: “What made this April 10 different from past delays?” — The question we raised in the original version of this article has been answered in the update sections above. Here, we review why the original analysis proved correct.
Three things were different.
First, Tesla reached the concrete milestone of completing all document submissions. We were standing at the exit of the review process, not the entrance.
Second, RDW itself officially confirmed it was in the final evaluation stage. For a regulatory authority to comment at all was unusual, and characterizing it as “the final stage” had never occurred in any previous delay situation.
Third, approval was specifically limited to FSD v14 for HW4 vehicles only — a realistic, data-backed application rather than an all-models, all-versions rollout.
Ultimately, the conclusion is clear: “This time was structurally different from every time before.” For the first time in four years of delays, concrete proof of progress existed. We had finally arrived at a phase worth watching — and that’s exactly what came to pass.
“On April 10, we watch closely” — that’s what we wrote in the original version of this article. And the approval did come through. The history of delays has finally reached its first real turning point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the Netherlands approval been confirmed?
Does this mean FSD is coming to Japan soon?
What about HW3 owners?
Is FSD (Supervised) autonomous driving?
Related Articles
- When Will Tesla FSD Be Available in Japan? Regulatory Barriers and 2026 Outlook
- The Truth Behind Honda’s EV Retreat — ¥690 Billion Loss and the Honda 0 Cancellation
References
- Toelichting RDW op Europese typegoedkeuring Tesla (RDW Official Statement)
- Tesla delays FSD approval in Europe again, now expects April 10 (Electrek)
- Netherlands Authority Confirms Tesla FSD Is in Final Approval Stage (Not a Tesla App)
- Tesla closes in on European approval for FSD Supervised (The Driven)
- Elon Musk reveals date of Tesla FSD’s next massive release: v14.3 (Teslarati)
- Tesla aims for AI autonomous driving implementation in Japan by 2026 (Nikkei)
- Will Tesla’s “autonomous driving in Japan” actually happen? (Jidounten Lab)
- Tesla nears FSD approval in Netherlands, EU-wide rollout expected (Investing.com)
- Tesla disables FSD in Europe after unofficial activation (Tarantas News)
- Tesla hits FSD hackers with surprise move (Teslarati)