Tesla's FSD Drives Itself Through Melbourne and Nails the Hook Turn

Tesla has just dropped its first-ever public video of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software navigating Australian roads, and it’s sparking excitement across the EV community.

The video, shared by Tesla’s AI team, shows a black Model 3 gliding through Melbourne’s busy CBD with zero driver input after the destination is entered. From tight alleyways to complex intersections, the car handled it all. It even pulled off a hook turn, one of the trickiest manoeuvres on Melbourne's roads.

▶️CHECK: Watch Tesla's video by clicking on this link

No Hands, No Fuss (Just FSD)

The clip shows a supervised FSD test drive from one side of the city to Crown Casino. For those unfamiliar, FSD (Supervised) means the driver is present and ready to intervene, but the vehicle does all the driving. In this case, no intervention was needed.

The Model 3 winds down Little Bourke Street, an area often packed with diners and foot traffic, patiently allowing pedestrians to cross before continuing to Swanston Street’s notoriously busy intersection. The software appears confident, smooth, and remarkably human-like.

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Mastering the Melbourne Hook Turn

Perhaps the biggest surprise? The Tesla’s flawless execution of a hook turn.

This driving technique, unique to Melbourne, requires vehicles turning right to wait on the far-left side of the intersection, then complete the turn when the lights change. It’s a move many human drivers get wrong, but Tesla’s FSD didn’t flinch.

Tesla has shown it can tailor FSD to local requirements, proving its AI can adapt to regional driving rules, even the unusual ones.

➡️TRY: Calculate Your Tesla Charging Costs

A First for Right-Hand Drive Markets

This is the first time Tesla has publicly showcased FSD in a right-hand-drive (RHD) country. Until now, FSD videos have mostly come from the US, Canada, China, and a handful of left-hand-drive European countries.

By showing off its capabilities in Australia, Tesla is sending a clear message: it’s getting closer to launching FSD in RHD markets.

One excited Tesla owner and YouTuber, Nash, responded: “Have been dreaming of this since 2018. Just can’t wait to see this trickle to our cars.” Another said: “First FSD clip in RHD country and Australia!! Can not wait for the launch! It seems the launch is quite ready and could be pretty soon.”

➡️MORE: Tesla Model 3 & Y Home Charging Guide

Global Expansion in Motion

Earlier this year, Tesla launched a version of FSD in China, marking a major step forward in the world’s largest and most tech-savvy car market. Thousands of drivers quickly took to the streets, testing the system in daily traffic, including underground carparks and dimly lit conditions where most autonomous systems struggle.

One livestream even showed the FSD-equipped Tesla dodging barriers and merging confidently on multilane city roads.

All signs point to a more capable, more localised FSD experience, one that Tesla is keen to refine with real-world data from around the globe.

▶️MORE: Tesla-Model-3 | Car details | Key specs, variants and pricing

Australia’s Turn Could Be Close

While there’s no official date yet, this Melbourne demo is likely a sign that FSD’s Australian debut is just around the corner.

And after years of waiting, Australian Tesla owners could finally get to experience what their overseas counterparts already have a car that’s not just electric, but also (almost) fully self-driving.