A user on Reddit recently had their daughter use their Tesla Model Y for her driving license test. Originally, they thought she passed the test and everything went swimmingly.
However, Arizona’s Department of Transportation (AZDOT) systems were down, so they were told to come back the next day to get her physical license. Easy enough, right?
FSD? No Licence
It turns out it's never that easy. The AZDOT tester thought that the daughter was using FSD during the driving portion of her exam and ended up denying her license. Now, while we know FSD sometimes drives like a teen driver, it turns out that Theduke432’s Model Y didn’t even have FSD. After explaining the situation to the Department of Vehicles, AZDOT backtracked.
they have too many safety features.
They found another reason to deny the license – insufficient use of the brake pedal. AZDOT thought that because the daughter didn’t use the brake pedal – as Teslas, like most EVs, primarily rely upon regenerative braking to slow the vehicle down – AZDOT didn’t think she could drive a non-Tesla.
The employee in question said they may have to ban Teslas from taking the road test – because they have too many safety features.
“Too Many Safety Features”
It seems like AZDOT thought the student driver may have had some unfair advantages, but we checked their online policy, and there’s nothing that says you can’t use a Tesla or a vehicle with regenerative braking on driving tests. In fact, we’re pretty sure if the daughter showed up with a hybrid, which also has regenerative braking, this wouldn’t have been an issue. We’re pretty sure this is a case of Tesla’s being featured in headlines praising its FSD features.
The fact is, Teslas are easier and safer to drive, but that’s a good thing. Just like an automatic car is easier to drive than a standard shift.
In recent Teslas, any produced after January 2024, Tesla doesn’t even offer any regenerative brake settings. There’s a single option for everyone, which increases regen and improves efficiency. The same holds true for stopping mode, only Hold is available for newer vehicles, while older ones still have the option to choose between creep (like an automatic car, where it inches forward when you let go of the brake pedal) and roll (which mimics a standard vehicle and the car can roll forward or back when you don’t have your foot on the brake pedal).
Ban Teslas, All EVs?
We don’t think that it is AZDOT’s place to tell people that they are incapable of driving a vehicle with regular braking while testing in a Tesla. AZDOT will allow people to drive with automatic transmissions – does that mean that everyone has to test with a manual transmission?
While we’re on that subject, why don’t we test and make sure that everyone knows how to crank their car? Oh, your car doesn’t have a crank. Guess you can’t get a driver’s license. When you look at it after taking a step back, this seems silly and nonsensical. EVs are the future, and if the driver is a competent driver of a road-legal vehicle that they came to test in, there should be no reason to fail them.
Turns out that after the incident, Theduke432 got a call from AZDOT stating that their daughter can have her driver’s license – but that AZDOT will be re-evaluating their test going forward. We look forward to seeing whether AZDOT brings out the horse and buggy for their test, or if they realize that regenerative braking is on a large percentage of vehicles on the road today.
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According to filings found by Kees Roelandschap on X, Tesla has obtained a 2-year exemption from UNECE autonomy regulations to run FSD Supervised on public roads in Norway. This marks one of the first positive developments for regulations and autonomy in Europe — great news for European customers.
Previously, European transportation agencies stressed additional caution and requested more time to legislate, further delaying the widespread UNECE regulation changes for autonomous vehicles.
Norwegian FSD - Employees Only
Following the recent approval from the Norwegian Road Authority, Tesla will be permitted to use its Supervised vehicles on public roads in a testing capacity. This exemption does not yet apply to customers, so we will have to wait and see how testing progresses.
Tesla will specifically be allowed to run FSD V13 and its derivative builds (meaning AI4 vehicles only) with automated steering and speed controls on EU-registered and approved vehicles.
Tesla will also be required to have Tesla-trained drivers (employees) conduct the testing. There is no specific policy in place that enables the use of FSD for customers at this time. However, as testing is conducted and bureaucratic hurdles are overcome across various transportation departments, Tesla may be able to extend the offer to European customers. According to Tesla’s latest earnings call, the company still plans to release FSD in Europe by the end of the year.
— Tesla Europe & Middle East (@teslaeurope) April 5, 2025
Article 39 Exemption
The UNECE can grant exemptions for innovative technologies that move faster than legislation under Article 39. However, Tesla requires the backing of a national ministry of transport to bring this to the UNECE’s attention. The next round of voting on critical issues is expected on May 12, 2025, which may not leave Tesla much time to present its findings to UNECE.
We don’t expect Tesla to receive authorization immediately. It may take several weeks or months of testing from the Netherlands or Norway teams before one of the two countries is willing to support Tesla’s exemption bid.
However, if Tesla achieves an Article 39 exemption, it could allow Tesla to roll out FSD to customers across Europe, provided there are no country-level exemptions.
Following customer requests, Tesla has once again returned FSD Transfers for North America. This comes after some new details we received on FSD Supervised and Unsupervised at the recent Q1 2025 Earnings Call.
Vox Populi, Vox Dei … FSD Transfer is back
All countries (in NA), all S3XY + @cybertruck (excl Foundation Series & Launch Series)
This latest round of FSD transfers doesn’t have a specific time limit - so if you’re in the market for a new vehicle and were worried about transferring FSD from a HW3 vehicle - now is the best chance.
This transfer opportunity is applicable for any new vehicle purchases, including the Model S, 3, X, Y, as well as the Cybertruck. The only vehicles it doesn’t apply to are the Foundation-Series Cybertruck or a Launch-Series Model Y, which already come with FSD included.
If you’re conducting an FSD transfer, you’ll need to reach out to your Tesla delivery coordinator through the Tesla app to confirm you’re eligible and to get the process started.
Note that once you take delivery, FSD access is removed from your older vehicle, regardless if you plan to trade in your vehicle or keep it.
Canada and Mexico
For those in Canada and Mexico, there’s some good news. This opportunity is available for customers in those countries as well, however, new vehicle orders are currently paused in Canada and Mexico for unknown reasons.
Running Offers
There are also several other offers running in North America, with the country flags indicating which countries their available in:
0% Financing on new Model 3 Orders (60mo, 0.99% for 72mo) 🇺🇸
Deep Blue Metallic and Pearl White are currently free on a new Model 3 Performance 🇺🇸
Original Model Y Owners are receiving $2,000 off the purchase of a Refreshed Model Y 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇲🇽
Free Supercharging on the Model S and Model X 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇲🇽
Free Supercharging on the Foundation-Series Cybertruck 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇲🇽