Belgium approves Tesla self-driving technology for public roads
Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology has been approved for use on Belgian roads, making Belgium the fifth European country to authorise the system. The technology allows vehicles to steer, remain within their lane and change lanes autonomously, although drivers must remain attentive at all times and are legally responsible for the vehicle.
The approval was granted by Flemish minister of mobility Annick De Ridder (N-VA) and automatically applies throughout Belgium. Tests of the technology only began in Belgium last month.
The FSD system enables a vehicle to carry out certain driving tasks independently, but it remains a supervised driver-assistance system. Drivers must keep their attention on the road and be ready to intervene whenever necessary.
According to De Ridder, Belgium was able to accelerate the approval process because the technology had already undergone extensive testing in the Netherlands.
"The Dutch approval was preceded by an intensive testing period. So we didn't have to start from scratch. Thanks to the smooth cooperation of our Dutch colleagues at the RDW, we had access to all their test data, and a shortened test period was sufficient to assess the differences in road infrastructure and traffic regulations between the Netherlands and Belgium," she said.
The approval applies only to Tesla vehicles equipped with the necessary hardware, which the manufacturer says has been installed in models produced since early 2023. Owners will also need a subscription before the software can be activated.
Drivers will not be able to distinguish self-driving Teslas from other vehicles on the road. Tesla says the system falls within the same category as other advanced driver-assistance technologies and does not require any special markings on the vehicle.
Belgium joins the Netherlands, Denmark, Estonia and Lithuania in allowing the use of Tesla's FSD technology. If drivers cross into a country where the system is not authorised, the software is automatically disabled.
De Ridder said the technology could contribute to road safety. "After all, it exhibits a defensive driving style and can react faster and more consistently than human drivers in certain situations."
© PHOTO HARALD TITTEL / DPA
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