A video has surfaced showing a Tesla Cybertruck driver playing the video game Grand Theft Auto while the vehicle's Full Self-Driving system is engaged on the highway. The driver uses a controller, with eyes focused on the game screen, as the truck navigates traffic. This incident highlights ongoing efforts by drivers to bypass Tesla's driver-monitoring safeguards.
The video, shared online and tweeted by @teslacarsonly on January 8, 2026, captures the driver gripping a video game controller while the Cybertruck travels along the highway. "A Cybertruck driver playing GTA while driving with FSD!" the tweet states, accompanied by the clip. Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system appears to function normally, with the vehicle's sensors and cameras registering the driver as attentive despite the distraction.
Tesla's driver-monitoring system relies on cabin cameras to track head position and steering wheel torque sensors to detect engagement. It issues reminders if it detects inattention but allows for patterns suggesting attentiveness, such as occasional glances forward or slight wheel adjustments. This setup enables drivers to simulate focus while engaging in other activities, including playing video games like Grand Theft Auto, whose virtual world of Los Santos contrasts sharply with the real highway.
Such bypasses are part of a broader pattern. Drivers have used weights or water bottles on the steering wheel to mimic torque, angled their heads to fool cameras, or even taped oranges to the wheel in past tricks. Historical distractions include early mobile internet use, portable DVD players in vehicles, and complex infotainment systems that pull attention away. Studies indicate that tasks like entering navigation destinations or texting via built-in systems can divert eyes from the road for over 40 seconds—enough to cover half a mile at highway speeds.
Automakers contribute to the issue with features like large touchscreens in models such as Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y, which handle everything from wipers to mirrors. Integrations like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enable access to apps including Spotify and WhatsApp, promoting multitasking. Even voice assistants, such as "Hey Mercedes" or "OK Google," demand cognitive effort that impairs reaction times, according to research.
This Cybertruck incident underscores the tension between advancing autonomy and human ingenuity in evading safeguards, raising questions about the reliability of current monitoring in preparing for fully driverless vehicles.
