Tesla to End One-Time Purchase of FSD: “Full Self-Driving” Will Be Subscription-Only After February 14

Media outlets have drawn attention to a statement from Elon Musk saying that after February 14, Tesla will discontinue selling the Full Self-Driving (FSD) package as a one-time purchase. In other words, access to “Full Self-Driving” will be available only via a monthly subscription, with no option for an upfront, lifetime buy.

The FSD system itself has evolved significantly over the years. Since its launch in 2016, it has received numerous updates and has gradually moved away from the original, more basic “autopilot” concept toward a more advanced, AI-driven driver-assistance suite. As of now, the current version in the U.S. is considered to be FSD v14.2.

In the Chinese market, a broader rollout of FSD Intelligent Driving Assistance began in February 2025. There, Tesla uses software version 2024.45.32.12. It is important to note, however, that this system is still classified as Level 2 driver assistance, meaning active human supervision is required at all times. In Europe, progress has been slowed by regulatory hurdles: in June 2025, Musk publicly urged regulators to speed up approval of the technology.

Previously, while commenting on Tesla’s financial results, Musk said the company would consider expanding access to FSD only if there were genuinely strong demand. He also emphasized that, from a safety standpoint, the system must clearly outperform an average human driver.