can tesla cars drive themselves

[VonBella]

No, Tesla cars cannot drive themselves. Every Tesla model available today requires the driver to remain fully attentive, with hands on the wheel and ready to take control at all times. The systems offered—Autopilot and the more advanced Full Self-Driving (FSD) capability—are both classified as Level 2 driver-assistance systems under the SAE International standards. This means they assist with steering, acceleration, and braking within their lanes, but the human driver is ultimately responsible for the vehicle's operation.

The core of the confusion often lies in the naming of the "Full Self-Driving" package. While it includes features like Navigate on Autopilot (which suggests lane changes and navigates highway interchanges) and Autosteer on city streets (a beta feature that handles urban driving), it does not make the vehicle autonomous. Tesla explicitly states that these features require active driver supervision and do not make the vehicle autonomous.

It's crucial to understand the distinction between the standard Autopilot that comes with every new Tesla and the optional FSD package. Autopilot combines Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (maintains a set speed and distance from the car ahead) and Autosteer (keeps the car centered in its lane). FSD builds on this with more advanced, and in some cases experimental, capabilities.

The following table outlines the key features and their current capabilities:

Feature	Included In	Capability	Driver Responsibility
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control	Standard Autopilot	Matches the speed of your car to that of the surrounding traffic.	Must steer and monitor.
Autosteer	Standard Autopilot	Assists in steering within a clearly marked lane.	Hands must remain on the wheel.
Navigate on Autopilot	FSD Package	Guides a car from a highway’s on-ramp to off-ramp, suggesting lane changes.	Driver must confirm and supervise all actions.
Auto Lane Change	FSD Package	Assists in moving to an adjacent lane when the driver engages the turn signal.	Driver must initiate and monitor.
Autopark	FSD Package	Helps with parallel and perpendicular parking.	Driver must control speed and monitor.
Summon	FSD Package	Moves the car in and out of a tight space using the app.	Driver must monitor the car's path.
Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control	FSD Package	Identifies traffic lights and stop signs and slows the car to a stop.	Driver must supervise and proceed.
Autosteer on City Streets (Beta)	FSD Package	Handles steering on complex city streets.	Active supervision required at all times.

Regulatory bodies like the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) are closely scrutinizing these systems. It is illegal and unsafe to treat a Tesla as a self-driving car. The technology is impressive, but it is an assistant, not a replacement for an engaged driver.

[MichaelFitz]

As a daily Tesla driver, I can tell you it's not like the movies. My Model 3 has FSD, and it's a fantastic co-pilot on long highway drives—it handles the boring stuff. But it's not self-driving. The car still needs me. It sometimes gets confused by complex intersections or makes hesitant lane changes. I'm always watching the road, hands on the wheel. It reduces fatigue, but it absolutely does not eliminate the need for a driver.

[LeVanessa]

Let's be clear: the name "Full Self-Driving" is aspirational, not descriptive. Technically, these are Level 2 driver-assist systems. The car's sensors and software create a sophisticated aid, but the "driver in the loop" is a non-negotiable requirement. The system has limitations, especially with unexpected obstacles or poor road markings. Relying on it completely is a serious safety risk. True autonomy is a goal for the future, not a feature you can buy today.

[CoreyLee]

I think the marketing creates a dangerous gap between expectation and reality. People hear "self-driving" and assume they can check out. You can't. I've seen videos of Teslas on FSD beta making mistakes that require immediate human intervention. It's advanced, but it's not reliable enough to be trusted blindly. Until the technology is legally certified as Level 4 or 5 autonomy, calling it "full self-driving" feels irresponsible. The driver is, and must remain, the one in charge.

[OReed]

It's a spectrum. On one end, you have basic cruise control. On the other, a car that drives entirely by itself. Teslas are somewhere in the middle. The features are incredible—the car can change lanes, navigate exits, and stop for red lights. But it's a tool that augments your driving, not replaces you. You have to learn its quirks and know when it might struggle. It’s a powerful assistant that makes driving easier and safer, but it’s not a chauffeur. You’re still the pilot.