Netherlands RDW Releases Detailed FSD Supervised Testing Data: 1.8 Million km of European Validation
The Dutch vehicle authority (RDW) has published a detailed rebuttal of recent claims about its type approval of Tesla FSD (Supervised), providing concrete numbers on the scale of independent European testing performed.
Why Did the RDW Release This Statement Now?
Following recent articles that questioned the basis of the Netherlands FSD Supervised approval, the RDW issued an official explanation on 17 June 2026. The statement directly addresses concerns about data sources and testing methodology.
RDW releases detailed breakdown of Tesla FSD Supervised testing: over 1,000 test runs and 1.8 million km of independent European data collection.
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) June 17, 2026
What Testing Data Did the RDW Actually Collect?
According to the official RDW statement, the approval process included:
- More than 1,000 rigorous test runs conducted on test tracks under controlled conditions
- Approximately 1.8 million kilometres of real-world European road data collected independently by the RDW
- Over 3,000 hours of testing spanning more than 18 months
- Testing across highways, urban environments, and extreme weather conditions on European roads
Importantly, the RDW used its own equipment and data collection methods rather than relying solely on Tesla-submitted US data. This directly counters narratives suggesting the approval was based primarily on American marketing figures.
How Does This Counter Recent FUD?
Recent articles have implied that European regulators simply accepted Tesla’s US-collected data without sufficient local validation. The RDW’s detailed breakdown shows the opposite: they performed extensive independent European testing using their own protocols and equipment.
The 1.8 million km figure represents European road testing specifically, not US fleet data. This level of independent validation by a national type approval authority provides strong evidence-based support for the provisional approval granted to FSD Supervised.
Important Note
The RDW continues to monitor real-world performance of approved vehicles in the Netherlands as part of ongoing oversight.
Netherlands FSD Testing Data Summary
| Testing Metric | RDW Figures |
|---|---|
| Independent test track runs | 1,000+ |
| European real-world testing | ~1.8 million km |
| Total testing duration | 18+ months / 3,000+ hours |
| Data collection method | RDW independent equipment |
Implications for Other European Countries
The detailed RDW explanation strengthens the case for other countries that have recognised or are considering the Dutch type approval. Belgium, Denmark, Lithuania, and Estonia have already moved forward based on the RDW process.
Related reading: Netherlands FSD tracker and Global FSD Status.
