Tesla has quietly launched a free Full Self-Driving (Supervised) trial for approximately 1.5 million Hardware 4 owners in North America who have not previously purchased the feature. The trial extends until January 8, 2026, covering the holiday season and post-holiday travel. This move aims to boost awareness of the technology during peak family gatherings.
Tesla rolled out the promotion without fanfare, targeting owners without active FSD subscriptions. Tesla watcher Sawyer Merritt first noticed the initiative after owners shared screenshots indicating the trial's end date of January 8, 2026. He verified with users that none had prior FSD access, and the in-car notification simply states, “You’re Getting FSD (Supervised) For the Holidays,” avoiding any mention of a standard 30-day limit.
The approximately 40-day window aligns with Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and early 2026 travel, providing opportunities for demonstration during highway trips, parking, and local drives. With family members aboard, features like hands-off highway driving and automatic lane changes could spark conversations and encourage future subscriptions.
Recent updates to FSD version 14.2.1 have drawn praise for enhanced performance. Owner @LactoseLunatic described it as a “huge leap forward from version 14.1.4,” noting extreme smoothness, snappy lane changes, and assertive yet safe behavior that eases monitoring. @DevinOlsenn reported driving 600 km without interventions, adding that his wife now prefers FSD for daily commutes due to its refined operation. Sawyer Merritt tested it in snowy, unplowed New Hampshire roads, where the system remained cautious without hesitation. Longtime tester Chuck Cook praised improved sign recognition in school zones, demonstrating better dynamic awareness.
These positive experiences suggest the trial could convert passengers into advocates, potentially increasing FSD adoption after the holidays.