Does Tesla allow drivers to use their phones while driving? Musk: It depends on the surrounding traffic conditions.

You can now use your phone while driving a Tesla!

According to CheDongXi on December 5th, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, confirmed that Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system has received a major upgrade, allowing drivers to send text messages while the vehicle is in autonomous driving mode. This feature has been pushed with the FSD v14.2.1 version, and currently, Tesla is offering a free trial of this software.

It's worth noting that Musk didn't elaborate on the specific conditions under which FSD allows drivers to send text messages while driving, only stating that "the realization of this scenario depends on the surrounding traffic conditions."

▲ Musk responded that the realization of the function depends on traffic conditions

After real - world tests by overseas media, when the driver pressed the "Start Autopilot" button and continuously sent messages on the phone, the vehicle didn't stop the operation. During the 7 - minute drive, the vehicle automatically completed maneuvers such as avoiding obstacles, changing lanes, and parking. It successfully avoided oncoming traffic and obstacles on narrow roads without losing control.

▲ FSD didn't stop the driver from using the phone while driving

This is undoubtedly a crucial step towards fully autonomous driving without human supervision.

However, it's important to note that even Tesla's most mature and powerful FSD full - self - driving system currently still belongs to the L2 - level assisted driving. This means that drivers need to stay focused. They shouldn't sleep, and they also shouldn't be distracted while driving. Ultimately, the driver is still fully responsible for everything that happens to the vehicle.

01.

The Legality of Allowing Texting While Driving Is Controversial

Based on previous information, Tesla's FSD system uses in - car cameras overseas to monitor the driver's attention. If the driver takes their eyes off the road for an extended period, the system will issue a warning and remind them to focus.

After the system issues five warnings, the FSD (Full Self - Driving) and Autopilot (Intelligent Assisted Driving) functions may be disabled.

However, at the 2025 annual general meeting in early November, Musk mentioned one of the goals of Tesla's FSD. He said, "I believe that in the next one or two months, we'll review the safety statistics, and then we'll allow you to send text messages while driving."

▲ Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla

Today, Musk confirmed that the current version of the full - self - driving system (FSD v14.2.1) indeed allows drivers to send text messages while driving.

To verify this, foreign media teslarati conducted real - world tests on roads with three different levels of congestion. They found that when driving in low - congestion and medium - congestion areas, the tester browsed posts on Instagram, X, or Facebook while driving, keeping the continuous phone - looking time within five seconds and paying attention to the road conditions. Throughout the process, the FSD system didn't issue an alarm to remind the driver to look at the road.

But in areas with high traffic congestion, when the driver repeated the previous operations on the highway, the FSD finally issued an alarm to remind the driver to check the road conditions.

Foreign media questioned the legality of this function. It's reported that all 50 states in the United States clearly prohibit texting while driving, and some states even ban drivers from holding a phone while the car is in motion. If the police see a driver using a phone while driving, they may not know that the driver is using FSD and may pull the vehicle over instead.

02.

Users Collective Complain about FSD Upgrade

Accelerate the Implementation in Europe

Currently, Tesla's latest FSD system v14.2.1 has brought multiple upgrades, and user feedback has been mixed.

One of the most important upgrades in this version is the addition of two speed profiles, the "sloth" mode and the "MAD MAX" mode, forming a five - gear driving style selection system.

However, this update has sparked strong dissatisfaction among some users due to the large differences between the gears.

▲ Overseas netizens complain about the v14.2.1 version

Many early adopters pointed out that there are obvious gaps in the speed settings between different driving modes in the new - version FSD, and the fixed speed - limit offset strategy weakens the system's ability to adapt to the actual traffic flow.

On the other hand, some media have given positive feedback on its real - world performance.

A German media outlet said after experiencing this version: "This brand - new driving assistance system can take over braking, acceleration, and steering - all operations are smooth and seamless. Whether on congested urban roads or in construction areas, the vehicle can remain stable as if everything is normal."

▲ Foreign media tests the FSD v14.2.1 version

The media was also impressed by its perception ability, saying that "the cameras provide a 360 - degree panoramic view, never get tired, and never get distracted. This has brought immediate changes."

In addition to continuously hyping up the multiple upgrades of FSD, Tesla is also accelerating the promotion of FSD in the European market.

▲ Tesla launches the FSD demonstration program in Germany

Information shows that to allow more people to have the opportunity to experience FSD for the first time, Tesla has extended the FSD demonstration program in Europe by three months until the end of March 2026. The demonstration dates in Germany, France, and Italy are currently from December 1, 2025, to March 2026.

▲ Feedback from German netizens after FSD test rides

Tesla is also actively communicating with European officials about the functions of FSD. According to relevant reports, recently, the company also invited Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and mobility assessor Eugenio Patanè for a test ride.

▲ Tesla invites European officials for an FSD test ride

This also sends a positive signal. To enter the European market, the key breakthrough for FSD may start with the positive attitude of local governments.

03.

Conclusion: Tesla Further Promotes the Global Deployment of FSD

Tesla's continuous progress in the FSD full - self - driving system once again confirms its determination to break through technological boundaries in the field of autonomous driving. It is iterating rapidly, driving the evolution of the assisted - driving experience.

As Tesla continues to promote the deployment of FSD globally, whether the Chinese market, as a key strategic region, will see the official launch of FSD in the first quarter of 2025 has become the focus of attention from multiple parties. We look forward to more cutting - edge driving experiences entering the daily lives of Chinese users under the premise of safety and compliance.

This article is from the WeChat official account "CheDongXi". Author: Er Yan, Editor: Zhi Hao. Republished by 36Kr with permission.