I recently had the chance to try Tesla’s latest version of Full Self-Driving. Remember what we all thought the year 2000 would be like back in the 80's? It was all that and more. I typed in my destination, and the car drove from home to work without me touching the wheel, the accelerator, or the brake. The car even found a parking spot at my destination and parked itself.

I Didn't Expect to Trust it, But I Did

I’m a nervous passenger, and I like being the one in control. But within minutes, I caught myself looking around like I was riding shotgun. That’s when the car reminded me to keep my eyes on the road. Not because it couldn’t handle the drive, but because I was becoming so comfortable that I wasn't watching the road as closely as I should have been.  Tesla is clear that Full Self-Driving is still supervised and requires an attentive driver who is ready to take over at any time.

Is Full Self-Driving Legal In Idaho?

Idaho does not currently have a specific state law that bans driver-assist systems like Tesla’s Full Self-Driving. A widely used state-by-state tracker lists Idaho as having no laws, regulations, or policies specific to testing or deployment of automated vehicles. This means standard traffic laws remain the baseline for everyday driving.

If you are in the driver’s seat, Idaho still treats you like the driver. That means you are responsible for what the vehicle does, even when the machine is doing most of the work.

Does That Mean You Can Text And Drive With FSD On?

Short answer? Nope.

Idaho’s distracted driving law is built around whether you are operating the vehicle. If you are in the driver’s position while the vehicle is moving, you are operating it. Full Self-Driving does not create a loophole. 

FSD can steer, brake, and navigate, but it does not take away your legal responsibility of being an attentive driver.

Can Full Self-Driving Drive You Home After Drinking?

Idaho DUI law is not built around whether you were physically steering the whole time. It focuses on driving or being in physical control while impaired.

Idaho law defines actual physical control as being in the driver’s position with the motor running or with the vehicle moving.

So if you are intoxicated in the driver’s seat with the vehicle on or moving, you are putting lives at risk, even if the car is doing the driving. Supervised Full Self-Driving is NOT a get-out-of-DUI card. Don't even think about trying it.

Where The Tech Is Headed, And Why Laws Will Have To Catch Up

Elon Musk has made repeated predictions over the years that fully autonomous driving could be close, including a past claim that complete autonomy could be achieved in about two years, with regulators playing catch-up.

You can see a glimpse of what's next in places like California, where fully autonomous taxi services like Waymo operate in certain areas. California’s DMV even defines a passenger in an autonomous vehicle as someone who has no role in operating the vehicle when the autonomous technology is engaged.

If Idaho eventually gets more true driverless service, laws and regulations will need to quickly clarify the grey areas.

What This Implies For Idaho Drivers Right Now

We are in an in-between era. The tech is good enough to feel close to autonomous, but it is not truly driverless, and the law still expects you to be responsible. And they'll hold you accountable, no matter how much the tech is handling.