Tesla allows customers to use the “Full Self-Driving” feature for only $ 199 / month

Tesla owners can now sign up for the company’s “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) software on a monthly basis, instead of having to pay a large sum of money as before.

Tesla announced a new payment method on Saturday, offering customers an alternative to paying $10,000 for Full Self-Driving.

Tesla’s website says the subscription isn’t a long-term commitment, and customers can cancel their subscription “at any time.” The price offered by Tesla is 199 USD/month.

Only Teslas with hardware FSD 3.0 (HW3) or higher plus Basic or Advanced Autopilot configuration are eligible to apply for the FSD feature; Owners with non-eligible vehicles can purchase a hardware upgrade for $1,500 for FSD support.

One owner shared a notice they received from Tesla with CNBC, which said the FSD includes “features like Autopilot Navigation, Automatic Lane Change, Auto Parking , Vehicle Summons, Traffic Light Recognition and Stop Sign Control”.

Tesla has also warned on their registration page that a fully autonomous mode does not mean the vehicle is fully autonomous. “This feature still requires the driver to stay focused, keep their hands on the wheel and be ready to take over at any moment,” the company said.

Tesla rolled out a new beta of its FSD software this month. Although it can control the car in some situations, it still makes serious mistakes. Earlier this month, CEO Elon Musk urged customers to “be vigilant” when using the feature. In addition, Tesla says the mode can “misbehave at the worst of times”.

Tesla has been criticized for its Autopilot software, including the FSD feature. The company is being sued by the family of a 15-year-old boy who was killed in an auto accident in which one of the cars, a Tesla, was on Autopilot. The company is also being closely watched by lawmakers, when the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced in June that it was opening an investigation into Autopilot’s role in the 30 accidents.

The Tesla car in the tragic accident in April

In April, two people died in a crash with a Tesla on fire, and police say no one was behind the wheel. Elon Musk countered that no Autopilot feature was activated at the time of the incident.

Reference: BusinessInsider