Israel's Ministry of Transport has approved Tesla to conduct trials of its supervised autonomous driving system on public roads. The initiative focuses on integrating the technology into local conditions while prioritizing safety. This step aims to position Israel as a hub for smart vehicle innovation.
On Sunday, February 1, 2026, Israel's Ministry of Transport announced its approval for Tesla to test its Fully Self-Driving (FSD) system on the country's public roads. The trials will involve supervised autonomous driving, requiring a driver to remain present in the vehicle at all times to oversee operations and ensure safety in real-world conditions.
The ministry described this as a significant step toward advancing vehicle regulations in Israel. Officials emphasized that the program supports efforts to create a regulatory framework for the routine, supervised use of autonomous systems in the future, done safely and efficiently. Tesla plans to use the trials to evaluate how the FSD system interacts with Israel's road infrastructure, traffic patterns, and local driving behaviors. Data gathered will help refine the technology and guide potential updates to regulations for accommodating autonomous vehicles.
The pilot is limited in scope and strictly monitored, with all necessary safety protocols in place. Public safety remains the top priority, as the country seeks to position itself as a global hub for smart vehicle technology. This approval comes with full ministerial support to examine the integration of Tesla's advanced systems into the local driving environment.
