Elon Musk publicly confirmed on Thursday that Tesla’s most recent Full Self-Driving, or FSD, update now includes a capability that arguably redefines the boundary between technological convenience and human oversight: the system will allow a driver to send text messages while the software autonomously navigates the road. According to Musk, this newly introduced function is part of a significant software revision, and its activation is limited to specific conditions deemed safe within the vehicle’s operating protocol.
Curious to validate the real-world functionality of this bold feature, I decided to perform a firsthand experiment using my 2024 Tesla Model 3, equipped with the latest version of the FSD software—v14.2.1 2025.38.9.6. My car is currently running Tesla’s free Full Self-Driving trial, a promotional campaign recently made available to millions of users. Ordinarily, access to FSD requires a subscription fee of approximately $100 per month, but the company appears eager to encourage public engagement by temporarily removing the cost barrier.
To begin the test, I positioned my vehicle at the end of my driveway in Silicon Valley and selected a brief yet representative route to my local salon for a haircut. On the central screen, a new and conspicuous blue button labeled “Start Self-Driving” awaited my touch. With a single press, the car’s autonomous system engaged smoothly, assuming full control of the drive as I relaxed into the passenger role still seated behind the wheel.
In order to replicate a plausible real-life usage scenario, I decided to occupy myself by using my iPhone while the FSD handled the journey. I sent live updates through Slack to my colleagues at Business Insider, narrating each stage of the experience as it unfolded. My running commentary reflected both the novelty and the strangeness of relinquishing active control: I reported that I was typing as the autopilot maintained course, that the system did not interrupt or restrict my texting activity, and that I had activated Chill Mode—a less assertive driving style designed to deliver smoother handling and wider margins for safety. At one point, the interface prompted me to apply slight pressure to the steering wheel, a standard measure that ensures driver attention remains available if needed. The car also emitted a discreet chime to remind me to keep my eyes on the road, yet it continued executing each maneuver with reassuring consistency. By the time we reached the salon parking lot, the vehicle autonomously completed its parking process as I was still tapping out my final message. The drive concluded seamlessly.
The entire trip lasted roughly seven minutes, carried out under bright and clear skies during a tranquil afternoon in my hometown. The route included a challenging segment of roadway—narrow enough for only two-way traffic but constricted further by cars parked along both sides. During this part, my Tesla demonstrated impressive adaptability, subtly steering through gaps and yielding correctly to oncoming vehicles, even as a sizable garbage truck conducted its routine collection. Throughout the test, no incidents occurred. The car braked appropriately at every stop sign, negotiated tight turns with measured precision, and displayed a remarkably fluid command of ordinary driving tasks.
However, Musk’s assertion that drivers can now text while the Full Self-Driving mode operates raises complex legal and ethical questions, especially in jurisdictions such as California. Current traffic laws defining distracted driving were established in the context of human-operated vehicles, prescribing heavy fines for manually using a phone while driving. Yet this technological situation blurs the line between operator and passenger, introducing a gray area not yet explicitly addressed by legislation. In essence, the FSD feature has transported its users into an uncharted legal and societal space.
After finishing my haircut, I decided to repeat the experiment on my return journey home. This time, I sent a lighthearted text exchange to my wife. I informed her that I was en route from the salon and that, remarkably, I was using my Tesla’s self-driving mode to compose messages while traveling. I expected a reaction, yet my messages—first an explanation, then a question suggesting that perhaps texting while being autonomously driven was an intriguing innovation—were all met with silence. Her lack of response spoke volumes. She remained wisely reserved, perhaps skeptical, about the prudence of blending human distraction with machine autonomy.
Anyone following this experiment might walk away both fascinated and cautious. The experience underscores how rapidly our conception of driving is changing—from manual control to a shared dynamic between human trust and artificial intelligence. Tesla’s system performed with notable grace and stability, but broader questions loom: regulation, responsibility, and the psychological adaptation of drivers to a partially self-driving world. The boundaries of what constitutes acceptable driver behavior are being rewritten in real time, one software update at a time.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-tesla-fsd-lets-you-text-while-being-driven-2025-12
