France Blocks Tesla's Self-Driving Software Over Safety Concerns

France has formally rejected approval of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system in its current form, becoming the first major European economy to publicly detail regulatory objections at the cabinet level. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot cited two primary safety failures: the system's ability to exceed speed limits by up to 50 percent without driver input, and insufficient driver-attention monitoring at critical junctures like intersections and roundabouts.

The Speeding Issue

Tabarot's primary concern targets Tesla's Speed Offset feature, which adjusts vehicle cruising speed relative to surrounding traffic flow. The minister's specific example illustrates the violation: if a 50 km/h zone has ambient traffic moving at 70 km/h, the system will match that faster speed without explicit driver authorization. According to Tabarot's assessment, deviations have reached as high as 50 percent above posted limits in some instances — meaning a vehicle could travel at 75 km/h in a 50 km/h zone entirely on the system's decision.

France's highway code, consistent with EU member states, prohibits exceeding posted speed limits regardless of surrounding traffic conditions. This regulatory stance directly conflicts with the system's core logic. Sweden's Transport Administration previously recommended voting against FSD approval at the EU level unless Tesla removes the Speed Offset capability. Denmark's road traffic authority raised comparable concerns during its own review before ultimately approving the system in June.

Driver Attention at Critical Moments

Tabarot identified a second failure zone: the system's reduced grip on driver attention precisely where mistakes carry the highest cost. During lane changes, intersections, and roundabouts — maneuvers requiring immediate intervention — the system's monitoring capacity diminishes. This limitation presents a fundamental contradiction: FSD is marketed as "Full Self-Driving," yet European regulation classifies it as FSD Supervised, a Level 2 driver-assistance system. Under law, the human operator remains fully responsible and cannot safely divert attention, even for brief periods.

European Regulatory Divergence

France's stance contrasts with approvals granted elsewhere in Europe. The Dutch regulator RDW became the first European authority to approve FSD Supervised in April 2026, following over 18 months of testing. Lithuania, Estonia, Denmark, and Belgium subsequently authorized the system. France initiated its own ride-along evaluation program in late 2025 alongside Germany and Italy, extending the assessment through September 30. Rather than accepting other nations' verdicts, France conducted independent testing and reached different conclusions.

The decision carries commercial implications for Tesla's European expansion. France registered 7,474 Tesla units in June alone, marking a 105 percent year-over-year increase and a new monthly sales record. Globally, Tesla's FSD subscription base reached 1.28 million users by the end of the first quarter, representing approximately 14 percent of its 9.2 million-vehicle fleet. The ministry confirmed ongoing discussions with Tesla, the Netherlands, and other countries, with autonomous-driving industry discussions scheduled for autumn. Regulatory approval will ultimately depend on whether Tesla demonstrates the system can eliminate speeding behavior and maintain reliable driver-attention monitoring in urban environments.