Estonia has become the third European country, after the Netherlands and Lithuania, to permit the use of vehicles equipped with advanced self-driving technology on public roads.

Owners of newer Tesla electric vehicles in Estonia are expected to gain access to a software update enabling the technology in the coming months. However, the system remains a driver-assistance feature rather than fully autonomous driving, meaning that the person behind the wheel continues to be responsible for the vehicle and must be ready to intervene when required.

Estonia’s Transport Administration has also stressed that the technology does not change the driver’s existing legal responsibilities.