Belgium considers Tesla self-driving approval after Dutch green light

BRUSSELS: Belgium’s Flanders region is reviewing whether to fast-track approval for Tesla’s supervised “full self-driving” (FSD) software after regulators in the Netherlands became the first in the EU to grant provisional permission for its use on public roads.

The Dutch approval last month marked a key step for the technology, which can control a vehicle but still requires driver supervision.

Flemish Transport Minister Annick De Ridder said she has asked Tesla to provide documentation to assess whether a quick approval is possible, with a decision expected by the end of the week. She said innovation should be encouraged while maintaining safety standards.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has expressed confidence that the EU will eventually approve the system, although regulators in several countries including Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway remain cautious over safety concerns.

In Belgium, transport regulation is handled at the regional level. Tesla has also submitted a request to the Wallonia region, while officials in Brussels have not yet commented.