Tesla said its Full Self-Driving (FSD) driver-assistance system will be available only via monthly subscription starting Feb. 14, ending the option for U.S. customers to buy the software outright for a one-time fee.
Chief executive Elon Musk announced the change on social media, saying: “Tesla will stop selling FSD after Feb 14. FSD will only be available as a monthly subscription thereafter.” The company currently offers FSD as either an $8,000 one-time purchase or a $99-per-month subscription in the United States.
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Tesla’s system, officially branded “Full Self-Driving (Supervised),” assists drivers with tasks such as accelerating, braking and lane-keeping on highways, and can perform lane changes and respond to traffic signs on urban roads. Despite its name, the system requires drivers to remain attentive and ready to intervene at all times. The feature is also offered outside the United States in markets including Australia, Canada, China, Mexico and New Zealand.
Tesla has not provided a detailed explanation for moving to a subscription-only model. The shift comes as the company continues efforts to expand regulatory approval for FSD in Europe, where it has said it aims to be ready by 2026. In the meantime, Tesla has been offering supervised demonstration drives in several German cities, with company staff driving the vehicles.
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In November, Tesla said the Dutch vehicle authority RDW had committed to granting approval for certain FSD functions in the Netherlands by February 2026, a timeline later confirmed by the authority. RDW said Tesla must demonstrate by then that “FSD Supervised meets the requirements,” warning that approval would not be granted if the criteria are not met.
Under European rules, companies seeking to deploy new automotive technologies without existing legislation can apply for an exemption from market approval. An EU member state must submit such an application to the European Commission, after which a committee decides whether the exemption applies across the bloc or only within the sponsoring country.
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Tesla has consistently promoted its “vision-only” approach to automated driving, relying on cameras rather than radar, lidar or high-definition maps. “Cameras don’t blink, feel tired or get distracted,” the company says on its website, arguing that the technology can reduce accidents by handling common driving tasks while keeping drivers engaged.