Tesla is adding an extra layer of driver education as it rolls out Full Self-Driving (Supervised) in Europe for the first time, requiring owners in the Netherlands to complete a short tutorial before they can activate the feature.
The move comes as Tesla secured regulatory approval for FSD (Supervised) in the country, marking the beginning of its long-awaited European expansion. Now, before drivers can engage the system, they must first watch an instructional video and successfully complete a brief test designed to ensure they understand how the technology works—and its limitations.
A focus on driver understanding
Unlike traditional driver assistance features, Tesla’s FSD (Supervised) can handle a wide range of driving scenarios, from city streets to highways. However, it still requires active driver attention at all times, something Tesla appears keen to reinforce with this mandatory onboarding process.
The tutorial covers key concepts, including when FSD can be used, how it behaves in different environments, and the driver’s responsibility to remain attentive and ready to take over.
It’s a notable step beyond the current approach in North America, where drivers are typically presented with on-screen warnings and prompts, but are not required to pass a knowledge check before using the system.
Addressing confusion between Autopilot and FSD
One of the biggest challenges Tesla has faced is widespread confusion between its different driver assistance features—particularly Autopilot (including Autosteer) and Full Self-Driving.
That misunderstanding has often led to misleading headlines and public perception issues, with incidents involving basic Autopilot functionality sometimes being incorrectly attributed to FSD.
By requiring drivers to complete a tutorial, Tesla may be attempting to ensure users clearly understand the distinction, including what each system can and cannot do.
A model for other markets?
The introduction of a mandatory tutorial in the Netherlands is likely part of the requirements mandated by the Dutch vehicle authority RDW, but could serve as a test case for Tesla in other regions. While it adds an additional step to the onboarding process, it could also improve safety outcomes by ensuring drivers are better informed before using advanced features.
It may also help reduce misuse, particularly in edge cases where drivers overestimate the system’s capabilities.
Part of a broader European rollout
The tutorial requirement is just one part of Tesla’s carefully managed rollout of FSD (Supervised) in Europe. With approval now secured in the Netherlands, the company is expected to expand availability to additional countries in the coming weeks and months as regulators grant recognition or issue their own approvals now that the Netherlands has paved the way.
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