Tesla updates rules to allow FSD transfer ahead of Cybertruck AWD deliveries, but it comes at a cost

With the first deliveries fast approaching, Tesla has provided an update on how its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) Transfer Program will apply to customers who ordered the $59K Cybertruck AWD.

Tesla had previously stated customers who ordered the cheaper Cybertruck would not be eligible to transfer FSD, but the company has now changed its mind. However, the change comes with a minimum $20,000 price tag.

What Happened

The controversy began when Tesla quietly revised the terms of its FSD Transfer Program in February. Previously, the company’s website stated that customers who placed an order for a new Tesla by March 31, 2026, could qualify to transfer their existing FSD package to the new vehicle. Tesla then updated the language to require customers take delivery by that date.

While this was a seemingly small change it had major implications for vehicles with long wait times, namely the $59K Cybertruck AWD, which soon after its launch had estimated deliveries stretch into 2027.

Tesla later clarified that FSD transfers would still be honoured for customers whose original delivery windows were on or before March 31, 2026, including cases where Tesla-caused delays pushed delivery into April. However, the company also confirmed that orders with delivery estimates beyond the deadline would not qualify, while affected customers would be eligible for a refund of their $250 order fee.

That left limited options for Cybertruck AWD reservation holders who placed orders before the policy change but were unlikely to receive their vehicle before, or even close to, the deadline?

Tesla Confirms Limited Options for Early Cybertruck Orders

According to information shared by a Delivery Advisor to X user @NevrEnoughX, customers who placed Cybertruck AWD orders before the policy change now have three options, one of which revives the opportunity to transfer their FSD:

1. Proceed with existing order without transferring FSD
2. Switch to a higher-trim Cybertruck (Premium AWD or Cyberbeast) and request an FSD transfer
3. Cancel the order and receive a refund of the $250 order fee

The key detail is in option two — eligibility for FSD transfer are now only available if customers pay at least $20,000 extra to move up to at least a Cybertruck Premium AWD that starts at $79,990, negating the very reason they opted for the lower-priced version in the first place.

A Shift That’s Fueling Frustration

Tesla’s latest update answers the eligibility question, but not the fairness question. Many Cybertruck AWD reservation holders made purchasing decisions based on the understanding that an FSD transfer would be available, only to learn later that it would not be available.

Now several months later the company is dangling the carrot of FSD transfer again, but the benefit would require upgrading to a substantially more expensive vehicle, negating the savings of buying the cheaper version of the Cybertruck.

While Tesla has every right to modify the terms of its programs, changes that impact customers after orders have been placed risk undermining the trust and goodwill that helped build the brand’s loyal owner community. The issue for many owners is not whether Tesla was legally permitted to make the change—the company clearly stated the FSD Transfer Program could be modified or ended at any time.

Instead, the frustration comes from the fact that some customers made purchasing decisions based on the information available at the time, only to discover later that the terms had changed. In the case of the Cybertruck AWD, some buyers placed reservations specifically because they believed they would be able to combine the lower-priced truck with an existing FSD license. Now, the only way to preserve that benefit is to spend significantly more money on a higher trim.

Tesla has long benefited from one of the most loyal customer bases in the automotive industry, with many owners purchasing multiple vehicles from the company and acting as its strongest advocates. Decisions like this may seem relatively minor in the context of Tesla’s broader business, but they can have an outsized impact on customer sentiment.