Germany Confirms December EU Vote on Tesla FSD Approval
The vote was delayed from October, with regulators citing concerns over FSD's automatic speed offset feature.
Germany’s Federal Ministry for Transport (BMDV) has confirmed that a decisive vote on EU-wide recognition of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is scheduled for December 2026. The vote was originally expected in October but has been delayed, marking a critical juncture for Tesla’s autonomy ambitions in Europe’s largest automotive market.
What Happened
The confirmation emerged from correspondence shared by @TeslaDE195932, which revealed a response from the BMDV’s citizen service division. While the Technical Committee – Motor Vehicles (TCMV) will hold further consultations on October 6, the final vote on EU-wide approval will not occur until December. The German ministry stated it is maintaining a "technology-open and safety-oriented" approach. Currently, Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) is in direct talks with Tesla and the Dutch vehicle authority RDW to examine technical data before solidifying its voting stance.
Why It Matters
Germany’s position is pivotal because it represents Europe’s most demanding highway network and a significant portion of the EU’s automotive market. Regulators have acknowledged FSD’s capability in complex city driving but highlighted specific safety reservations, particularly regarding the system’s tendency to exceed posted speed limits by up to 50% due to its Speed Offset feature. This concern is shared by Sweden, France, and Croatia, as well as the European Transport Safety Council. While eight European nations—including the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark—have already granted independent national approvals, Germany’s hesitation underscores the strict regulatory scrutiny Tesla faces regarding driver liability and urban operation standards.
The Bottom Line
Tesla’s path to unified EU approval hinges on resolving German regulatory concerns about speeding and liability before the December vote. While localized support is spreading across the continent, the delay suggests that a bloc-wide clearance may require further technical adjustments or assurances from Tesla to satisfy Germany’s safety-oriented framework.
