In a recent video circulating on X, a driver scrolling on their phone for more than 2 minutes while using FSD (Supervised) v14.2.1 has not received a steering-wheel “nag” prompting them to apply torque.
Traditionally, Tesla’s driver-monitoring system has been based on two mechanisms: torque at the steering wheel and camera-based attention monitoring in the cabin.
Even where the eyes of the driver are captured by the cabin camera, the vehicle would still need torque feed after every 15-45 seconds, depending on conditions. The demonstration in the video would indicate that Tesla is permitting more time with no torque inflow in case the cabin camera identifies that the driver is attentive and traffic conditions satisfy some threshold.
Can Drivers Now Text and Scroll on Their Phones?
While some users interpret the reduced nags as permission to scroll on their phones, it is important to explain what Tesla means by it – FSD (Supervised) also demands the full attention of the driver; one should be prepared to take control at any moment, and using a phone in a moving vehicle is illegal in many jurisdictions.
Check out this Tesla owner scrolling for over 2 minutes with no nag while using FSD (Supervised) v14.2.1!
Tesla now allows owners to text and scroll on their phone, depending on the surrounding traffic conditions.pic.twitter.com/H0OkUFEpNV https://t.co/mpj8MdRueQ
— The Tesla Newswire (@TeslaNewswire) December 7, 2025
Thus, even though the car does not necessarily produce a nag, the system can keep track of the direction of gaze and movement of the eyelids of the driver. In case the driver stares at the ground too much, an alert of Eyes Not on Road will come up as well.
Therefore, the behavior in question does not always mean that Tesla is promoting phone use. Instead, it is indicative of a change in the priority of attention monitoring.
Moreover, some have interpreted the lower nag rate as an indicator that Unsupervised FSD is now possible. Nevertheless, several practical and regulatory challenges are still in place – Tesla has not given a schedule for an unsupervised system. In the U.S., EU, and most other markets, regulators are not yet able to allow consumer vehicles to operate without a driver in control. Tesla presently includes the labeling (FSD Supervised), which clearly adds that the system is not autonomous.
The possible representation of the reduced nags could be Tesla enhancing the user experience and creating trust in the reliability of the system. Through more intelligent distinction of attentive and inattentive drivers, Tesla will be able to minimize unnecessary alerts without removing the safety systems.
This evolution may be a step toward an unsupervised future, but not direct evidence that such a release is imminent.
