Tesla Launches FSD Referral Program, Ends Vehicle Referrals in U.S.

Tesla has officially launched a referral program for its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) subscription in the United States, simultaneously discontinuing its long-standing vehicle referral initiative.

What Happened

According to Tesla’s support page, eligibility for the new program requires an active FSD (Supervised) subscription or an outright FSD purchase; owners who received FSD through a one-year grant are not eligible. Participants must use Tesla app version 4.62.0 or later to share a referral link. The referred individual receives a one-month FSD (Supervised) trial if they are eligible. If that person subscribes during the trial, the referrer earns a reward: subscribers receive one free month of FSD (Supervised), while owners who bought FSD outright receive a $99 Tesla Credit toward eligible purchases. This credit option was introduced because Tesla ended one-time FSD purchases earlier this year, rendering a free subscription month worthless for lifetime owners.

Why It Matters

The shift reflects Tesla’s strategic pivot toward software revenue, with the company reporting 1.74 million FSD subscribers during its Q3 2026 earnings call and noting that 75% of new vehicle orders in North America now include a paid subscription. Unlike the previous vehicle referral program, which was limited to first-time buyers, the new FSD referrals can be made to existing Tesla owners. The program is currently U.S.-only, though FSD is approved in 18 countries, suggesting potential future expansion. The previous vehicle referral program, which offered up to $250 in Tesla Credits and three months of free FSD to buyers, is no longer available in the U.S.

The Bottom Line

Tesla’s new referral structure incentivizes FSD adoption among current customers and friends, replacing the vehicle-centric model with a software-focused approach that caps rewards at 12 per calendar year per owner.