Following the regulatory approval of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) by the Dutch vehicle authority (RDW), the rest of Europe is beginning to show its hand.
New developments in both Spain and Italy suggest that regulatory bodies are closely monitoring the Netherlands and actively preparing for a rollout of autonomous driving technologies.
Spain’s DGT Breaks Its Silence
In a recent correspondence shared by @BarcelonaGeekYT on X, Spain’s Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) provided an update on their stance regarding FSD and revealed some incredibly promising internal testing data.
While the DGT clarified that they handle road safety and vehicle registration rather than direct vehicle type approval, they expressed strong support for the integration of advanced driving technologies under their Road Safety Strategy 2030.
Flawless Testing Under ES-AV Framework
The most significant revelation in the DGT's response was confirmation of Tesla's active testing in Spain. Under the country's highly advanced ES-AV Framework Programme (Evaluation of the Safety and Technology of Automated Vehicles), Tesla has been quietly validating its localized software on Spanish roads.
According to the official communication, the testing results have been spotless. Tesla is currently operating a test fleet of 30 vehicles equipped with FSD across Spain. Since November 2025, these vehicles have accumulated nearly 80,000 kilometers (~50,000 mi) of testing, with zero reported incidents to date.
The Path Forward in Spain
The DGT acknowledged the recent breakthrough in the Netherlands, stating that the RDW's decision provides "new potential opportunities to improve mobility" and serves as a vital first step toward making automated vehicles a reality across the European Union.
Looking ahead, the agency confirmed that systems like Tesla's FSD can be legally registered and used on Spanish roads, provided they secure the appropriate EU type approval under UN Regulation No. 171 (Level 2 DCAS). The DGT did offer one final, expected caveat: regardless of the technology's capabilities, the human driver will always remain strictly responsible for maintaining control of the vehicle at all times, as expected for Level 2 systems.
Italy Moves to Fast-Track Approvals
Spain is not the only Mediterranean country making moves. In Italy, the regulatory wheels are also beginning to turn at an accelerated pace.
Following the Dutch approval, community requests to bring FSD to Italian roads have gained significant traction. The Italian Ministry of Transport has reportedly acknowledged these requests and officially forwarded a community petition to fast-track the approval process, sending it directly to the Transport Department and local DMV equivalents for review.
As the RDW's initial approval begins to permeate throughout the European Union, the bureaucratic red tape that has historically blocked Tesla's advanced driver assistance systems appears to finally be unraveling.
