Tesla has obtained provisional approval from the Netherlands for its Full-Self Driving system after 18 months of testing in collaboration with the RDW authority. The next step to extend it across Europe depends on a vote by the European Commission's Motor Vehicle Technical Committee, scheduled for at least July or more likely October.
Article 39 as the technical key for approval 🚗
Tesla is invoking Article 39 of European law, which allows for the approval of new technologies not covered by existing regulations. The company has demonstrated to the RDW that its system can operate safely on highways and in controlled environments. However, the TCMV vote will not take place at the May 5 meeting, delaying expansion until at least July or, more likely, October.
European bureaucracy, the true autopilot 🐢
While Tesla claims its FSD already drives better than many humans, the European Commission shows that its approval process moves at a snail's pace. If the vote comes in October, European drivers will have had plenty of time to learn parallel parking while they wait. At least the car won't complain about bureaucratic traffic.