Tesla shortens Free Full Self-Driving strikeout pardon duration in recent software version update [2025.32+]
Tesla Reduces Strikeout Forgiveness Period for Full Self-Driving (FSD) System
Tesla has announced a significant change to its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, reducing the strikeout forgiveness period from one week to 3.5 days. This update, part of the 2025.32+ software release, is aimed at balancing safety with customer satisfaction as the company continues to expand access to FSD.
The driver monitoring system in Tesla's FSD issues a "strike" if the driver is not paying attention while using the semi-autonomous feature. Accumulating too many strikes in a short period can temporarily suspend the driver's access to FSD. Prior to this update, Tesla gave owners a full week before a strike was forgiven, provided no new strikes occurred during that period.
Under the new rules, a driver who receives a strike will have to wait 3.5 days before the first strike is forgiven, even if no new strikes occur. If a new strike occurs before the 3.5 days have elapsed, the countdown resets from that new strike, effectively extending the penalty period.
Critics have long argued that the strike system is sometimes too aggressive, penalizing drivers for minor lapses or false detections. Proponents argue that the strict rules are essential to prevent misuse of semi-autonomous features. The reduction in the strikeout forgiveness period is a step towards finding a balance between these opposing viewpoints.
It's important to note that the shorter strikeout forgiveness period does not apply to Tesla referral rewards, which still offer three months of FSD with a purchase. This change primarily affects regular FSD users.
The shorter cooldown period means that careful drivers who rarely trigger strikes will benefit, but those who repeatedly miss alerts or disengage from monitoring requirements could find themselves caught in a cycle of resets. The change encourages drivers to remain attentive and engaged while using the FSD system.
Tesla has revised the timeline for the FSD beta release multiple times since its introduction. Initially targeting a wide release in 2019, the company has faced regulatory and technical challenges, delaying the release through 2020 and 2021. Limited beta access has been granted under strict conditions primarily to trusted testers and safety drivers.
The reduction in the strikeout forgiveness period highlights Tesla's ongoing effort to improve the FSD system and ensure it is used safely and effectively. As the technology matures, Tesla continues to refine its approach to balancing safety with customer satisfaction.
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