Elon Musk says Tesla FSD lets you text while being driven. I tried it. Here’s what happened.

• The Tesla FSD update now allows drivers to text while the vehicle is in self-driving mode.
• I tested this out on Thursday, using my 2024 Tesla Model 3 with FSD v14.2.1.
• I was driven to a local salon, and I typed live updates to my colleagues with my iPhone.

Elon Musk confirmed on Thursday that Tesla FSD will now let you text while the software drives you around.

This is part of a recent FSD update, and the CEO said it allows texting in certain situations.

So, I decided to test this out with my 2024 Tesla Model 3, to see how far the system would go and whether it performed under this new scenario.

I have a new version of the FSD software, v14.2.1 2025.38.9.6. And I'm using Tesla's free FSD trial, which it rolled out to millions of vehicles in recent days. FSD usually costs $100 a month, but the company is promoting its latest software for free right now.

I started in my driveway in Silicon Valley and picked a short route to the local salon to get my hair cut. I pressed a new blue button on the screen that says "Start Self-Driving," and off it went.

To make the test feel more real, I used my iPhone while being driven to send live updates via Slack to my colleagues at Business Insider. Here's the action I shared during the trip:

"I'm typing this as I'm being driven by FSD."

"The car hasn't stopped me doing this or alerted me."

"I'm in Chill Mode, so not an aggressive mode."

"Ok it just asked me to apply slight pressure to the steering wheel."

"Then it beeped at me to pay attention to the road."

"But it kept on driving anyway."

"Ok I've arrived at my haircut. It's parking for me. I'm still typing."

"Ok the trip ended."

The FSD drive lasted about seven minutes, and it took me through my hometown during a clear, sunny afternoon.

My Tesla went down a tricky road at one point that's just wide enough for two-way traffic, but gets tight because residents park their vehicles on either side.

While I was typing, my Tesla was pausing and dipping in and out of gaps between these parked cars and oncoming traffic, which included a large trash-hauling truck doing its rounds.

There were no incidents during the trip. The car maneuvered smoothly and carefully, giving way at the right times and stopping at all stop signs.

Just because Musk says you can text behind the wheel with the latest FSD, that may not mean you can do this in California. There are well-established rules about distracted driving, and pretty hefty fines. Now, these regulations are based on humans driving cars, not being driven by autonomous vehicles, so we've just entered new territory.

After my haircut, on the way home, I repeated the FSD test and texted my wife while being driven.

"I went to get a haircut and I'm texting you while Tesla fsd drives me home."

No response…

"You can text while driving now."

No response…

"Wdyt? Good idea?"

No response…

Smart lady.

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