Tesla FSD Officially Begins Road Testing in the UAE

Tesla is advancing its global autonomy efforts, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) now serving as a new testing location for its self-driving software. The Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility) announced that it is overseeing Tesla’s first "Advanced Self-Driving (Supervised)" road trials in Abu Dhabi.

The program operates under strict driver supervision within a government-regulated framework, aiming to evaluate performance in real-world regional conditions and confirm operational safety ahead of broader deployment. Dr. Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of Abu Dhabi Mobility, said the initiative will assess the technology in actual operating environments and collect the data needed to verify readiness.

With support of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council, @ad_mobility, a @AbuDhabiDMT affiliate, has announced Tesla’s first Advanced Self-Driving (Supervised) road trials in Abu Dhabi, conducted under driver supervision to assess performance and safety in real-world conditions. pic.twitter.com/OvUrWRODcg

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) February 26, 2026

FSD in the UAE

In December, Elon Musk identified the UAE as the next major market for Full Self-Driving (Supervised). Although the initial target was a January 2026 launch, the start of these road trials positions the UAE to become the eighth country to offer the software, alongside the U.S., Canada, Mexico, China (currently awaiting full regulatory approval), Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea.

While North American drivers are currently using the latest FSD v14, most other global markets, including China and Australia, remain on v13. South Korea is the only other nation outside North America currently utilizing v14.

What Exactly is Tesla FSD?

Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is Tesla’s most advanced driver-assistance system. It can navigate city streets, manage intersections, and execute turns, but still requires a human driver to stay attentive at all times. Tesla delivers frequent over-the-air updates to improve capability as it pursues a fully autonomous future.

Expanding the Horizon: Where is FSD Heading Next?

The UAE is not the only region in focus. The company has signaled an upcoming launch in Israel and is pursuing regulatory approval in Europe. Tesla originally planned to launch in Europe by February 2026, and as of the final week of that month, formal approval has not yet been announced.

Tesla is authorized to test FSD privately in European markets such as Sweden and continues seeking permission to broaden testing. However, it has yet to obtain the public approvals required for a wider regional rollout. To inform regulators, the company ran an FSD ride-along program across Europe last year to demonstrate safety. References on Tesla’s Dutch website also pointed to potential monthly FSD subscriptions for European owners, though no firm timeline has been provided.

As the Abu Dhabi road trials progress, they are expected to generate the data needed to extend autonomous driving to additional regions.