FSDClarity

How to Tell If Your Tesla Has FSD (And How to Turn It On)

4 min readBy the FSDClarity team

On this page

To check if a Tesla has FSD, open Controls > Software on the touchscreen: if "Full Self-Driving Capability" appears in the list of included packages, FSD was purchased and stays with the car. If FSD is active but not listed there, it's likely a subscription — check the Upgrades section of the owner's Tesla app. Cars first delivered after February 14, 2026 can only have FSD by subscription.

Buying a used Tesla?

Don't guess whether FSD will transfer. Verify eligibility instantly with our free tool.

Check Transfer →

Check in the car: the exact screen path

  1. Tap the car icon (Controls) on the touchscreen.
  2. Tap Software.
  3. Look at the package listed under the car's name:
    • Full Self-Driving Capability → purchased FSD
    • Enhanced Autopilot → EAP (FSD available for $49/month)
    • Basic Autopilot or no package → no purchased FSD
  4. For the hardware, tap Additional Vehicle Information: AI3 means HW3, AI4 means HW4.

Check in the Tesla app

In the owner's Tesla app, open Upgrades (or the subscriptions area of the account). An active FSD subscription shows there with its monthly price and renewal date. If you're buying a car, ask the seller to show you this screen.

Purchased vs subscribed vs trial

TypeHow to spot itStays with the car?
Purchased"Full Self-Driving Capability" on the Software screen✅ Yes
SubscriptionMonthly subscription in the owner's app❌ No
Free trialTemporary access with an end date❌ No
Luxe Package (Model S/X)Bundled with the packageStays with that car; can't be moved to another

Tesla has offered free FSD trials at times, so a car can show FSD temporarily. A trial or subscription ends; only purchased FSD carries over when the car is sold. For every resale scenario, see does Tesla FSD transfer to a new owner.

Which Teslas support FSD?

  • HW3 and HW4 cars can run FSD (Supervised). That's most Model 3s from 2019, Model Ys, Model S and Model X from 2019, and every Cybertruck.
  • HW4 cars get new FSD versions first.
  • Older HW2/HW2.5 cars need a computer upgrade, which Tesla offered free to owners who purchased FSD.

Check any car with the Hardware Checker, or see which Teslas have HW4.

How to turn FSD on

  1. Go to Controls > Autopilot and turn on Full Self-Driving (Supervised). Accept the on-screen terms.
  2. Set your preferences, such as the driving profile and lane-change behavior.
  3. Enter a destination in navigation for the full route experience.
  4. Engage it the same way you engage Autosteer on your car — on most cars with a drive stalk, that's pushing the stalk down twice. Follow the on-screen prompts on stalkless models.
  5. Stay attentive. FSD (Supervised) requires you to watch the road; the cabin camera monitors attention.

No FSD yet? You can subscribe from the Tesla app's Upgrades section for $99 a month.

If FSD is greyed out, or you're running into camera alerts and phantom braking once it's on, common FSD problems covers the causes and which ones you can fix.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my Tesla has FSD?

Controls > Software. "Full Self-Driving Capability" means it was purchased. Subscriptions show in the owner's Tesla app.

How do I know if a used Tesla's FSD will transfer?

Only purchased FSD transfers. Confirm it on the Software screen and run the car through the FSD Transfer Checker.

Does every new Tesla come with FSD?

No. New Teslas include Traffic-Aware Cruise Control; FSD is a $99/month subscription. Some Model S and Model X packages bundle it.

Why can't I find the FSD setting?

The car may not have FSD, the subscription may have lapsed, or a software update may be pending. Check Controls > Software and the Tesla app.

The bottom line

Thirty seconds on the Software screen tells you whether a Tesla's FSD is purchased — the only kind that stays with the car. Verify before you buy, and use the FSD Transfer Checker for any used listing.

Related guides