- Tesla's Full Self-Driving system has been renamed to "Tesla Assisted Driving" in Europe.
- The new name will appear on in-car displays and in the owner's manual.
- The maximum allowable speed setting range has been reduced from +50% to +10%.
- These changes will be delivered through Tesla's over-the-air software updates.
Tesla's Full Self-Driving system (FSD) is now called "Tesla Assisted Driving" (TAD) in Europe, following a series of new changes requested by the Dutch traffic authority RDW (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer). On November 3, RDW announced that it had evaluated and approved a set of changes to the regulatory driving assistance system for Tesla FSD.
These updates introduce the official European name TAD and impose stricter controls on the system's speed behavior. The new name will appear on in-car displays, in the owner's manual, and in all other driver-facing information. This change applies to Tesla models equipped with Tesla Assisted Driving and hardware version 4.0 (HW4) or higher.
Speed Setting Adjustments
RDW emphasized that the name change does not alter the fundamental operation of the system: it remains a regulatory driving assistance feature that supports drivers in performing driving tasks, with drivers retaining full responsibility for vehicle control at all times. Aside from the renaming, the most significant functional adjustment involves speed settings. Drivers can still set a speed range, allowing the system to exceed the applicable speed limit by a percentage when necessary for safety or traffic flow. However, the maximum allowable range has been reduced from +50% to +10%. Whenever the vehicle is started, the speed range setting will default to a 0% deviation, and other speed-related features will be disabled by default.
These changes will be delivered through Tesla's over-the-air software updates (OTA).
Tesla has requested RDW to review these "minor changes." After assessing the implementation of these modifications and the system's behavior, the agency found no adverse or unexpected effects on system operation or vehicle driving behavior. Therefore, existing model certifications remain valid under the same conditions and uses, without the need for revision or extension. RDW has notified nine EU member states that have accepted its model certification—Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic—regarding these updates. Broader EU approval is still under discussion within the European Technical Committee (TCMV), and these procedures remain confidential, with RDW declining to comment on them.
Impact of German Authorities
The approved changes align with earlier discussions with German authorities, who argued for clearer naming to avoid misleading drivers and requested stricter speed deviations. By formally incorporating these adjustments without altering the core model certification, RDW has paved the way for Tesla to launch the updated TAD software in the Netherlands and other countries that recognize Dutch approvals. The system continues to operate as a regulatory driving assistance feature, with drivers remaining responsible.
Significance of the New Name and Speed Limits
Tesla's renaming of its Full Self-Driving system to "Tesla Assisted Driving" in Europe reflects regulatory requirements for driving assistance technology. This change not only helps to enhance driver safety awareness but also emphasizes the driver's responsibility for vehicle control. The adjustment of speed settings, particularly the reduction of the maximum allowable range, demonstrates regulators' focus on safety and may influence driver behavior. With the implementation of these changes, Tesla will be better aligned with legal requirements in the European market, facilitating its business development in the region.