Tesla Drivers Filmed Sleeping Behind the Wheel in 43 Videos

A troubling pattern is emerging among Tesla owners who use the company's autonomous driving features: an increasing number are documented sleeping behind the wheel while their vehicles navigate roads.

According to an investigation by NBC News, at least 43 videos circulating online show people appearing to sleep while their Teslas operate in self-driving mode. The trend suggests drivers are becoming more comfortable—or complacent—about disengaging from active vehicle operation.

Real-world examples

One Tesla owner in Southern California, identified only as Josh, told NBC News he has begun napping during long highway drives to his son's athletic tournaments, sometimes covering distances of 100 miles or more. Josh described using these trips as opportunities to rest while the vehicle's autonomous systems handle driving duties.

The practice represents a significant departure from Tesla's stated guidelines for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) and Autopilot systems, which require drivers to remain attentive and ready to take control at any moment.

Why it matters

This behavior exposes a critical gap between how autonomous driving technology is marketed, how it actually functions, and how consumers use it in practice. Despite names like "Full Self-Driving," current Tesla systems are classified as Level 2 driver assistance—meaning they require constant human supervision. Drivers sleeping behind the wheel aren't just violating terms of use; they're creating potentially deadly situations for themselves and others on the road. The documented prevalence of this behavior suggests either inadequate driver monitoring systems or a widespread misunderstanding of the technology's limitations.

Growing boldness

The NBC News report characterizes Tesla owners as "becoming more brazen" in their willingness to sleep while their vehicles drive. The existence of 43 documented videos likely represents only a fraction of actual incidents, as most drivers sleeping behind the wheel wouldn't be filming or being filmed.

Tesla's driver monitoring systems are designed to detect when drivers aren't paying attention, typically through steering wheel sensors and, in newer models, cabin cameras. However, the proliferation of videos showing sleeping drivers suggests these safeguards may be insufficient or easily circumvented.

The investigation highlights ongoing questions about the readiness of autonomous driving technology for widespread consumer use and whether current safety mechanisms adequately prevent misuse. As more vehicles with advanced driver assistance features enter the market, the industry faces mounting pressure to address the gap between technological capability and safe operation.

These details were first reported by NBC News in their investigation into Tesla driver behavior.