Tesla ends One-Time Full Self-Driving purchase, switches to $99 monthly subscription

In a major shift for Tesla owners, the company has officially discontinued one-time purchases of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) capability in North America after more than nine years. This move follows the EV maker’s announcement last month’s announcement of ending one-time FSD purchase.

It means customers can no longer buy FSD outright and must now opt for recurring payments. New subscribers will get a 30-day trial, and the subscription starts after the 30-day trial. The monthly subscription price, excluding taxes and billed monthly until canceled.

Importantly, the feature remains labeled as “Supervised,” requiring active driver oversight and not yet granting full vehicle autonomy pending further development and regulatory approvals.

On the other hand, European Tesla owners pointed out that the one-time purchase remains available in their regions for now. X users from Germany and other countries shared screenshots confirming the option persists outside North America, sparking discussions about potential future changes when unsupervised FSD rolls out globally.

This transition aligns with Tesla’s broader autonomy goals, as promoted by the official Tesla North America account, emphasizing how FSD eases commutes for $99/month. Earlier community discussions referenced January 2026 announcements warning of the impending shift, with some owners rushing lifetime purchases ahead of the February deadline.

Overall, the change lowers the entry barrier for new adopters while ensuring ongoing revenue through updates. For existing lifetime owners, it solidifies their investment’s value amid rapid FSD improvements. On the other hand, existing FSD owners can transfer their capabilities to a new car through March 31, 2026. Read more here.