Tesla Might Activate FSD in France as Soon as September!

For months, Tesla customers in Europe have been eagerly awaiting any news regarding Full Self-Driving (FSD) on the continent.

So far, Tesla’s autonomous driving advancements with FSD have been hindered by a major obstacle: regulatory approval. But a recent development within the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) could finally change the game.

During the WP29 World Forum meeting in March 2025, a key amendment to the regulation was adopted, paving the way for the introduction of “Initiated Maneuver Systems” (IMS) on motorways in signatory countries. According to official documents, this amendment will come into effect on September 26, 2025, following the standard procedure that allows six months for member states to raise objections. Historically, such objections are rare: 95% of amendments are adopted smoothly.

What does this development mean for FSD in Europe?

IMS will allow Tesla vehicles to perform autonomous actions on highways, such as lane changes, while the driver remains responsible for supervising. This progress marks a significant step forward from current standards, which require the driver to manually initiate each automated maneuver.

Although this advancement does not yet equal the “hands-free, eyes on the road” approach adopted by Tesla in North America and China, it brings Europe closer to a partial legalization of these advanced capabilities. This will enable Tesla to offer more advanced features in Europe, at least for highway travel.

However, this new regulatory framework applies exclusively to motorways. FSD functions in urban environments, such as automated parking or city travel management, will remain inaccessible in Europe. Additionally, UNECE imposes strict driver monitoring requirements, meaning alerts, including those related to keeping hands on the steering wheel, will remain omnipresent.

Despite these restrictions, the adoption of IMS represents a significant progress in a process often marked by hesitation and caution. While some European countries have recently approved FSD testing on roads, harmonizing regulations at the UNECE level is crucial for widespread deployment.

Until September, Tesla owners can hope that this deadline will be met, paving the way for expanded FSD use in Europe. Although the journey toward full parity with North America is still long, this development is a major step forward for automotive autonomy on the old continent.

READ ALSO: Tesla confirms, with data, that humans are more dangerous than artificial intelligence