Man who's used Full Self-Driving on his 2025 Tesla Model 3 Highland has taken 50 people from his village for a ride and they've all had one common experience
Published on Oct 17, 2026 at 9:58 PM (UTC-4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Oct 17, 2026 at 9:58 PM (UTC-4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
When this video of a self-driving 2025 Tesla Model 3 Highland making its way up a narrow mountain road was posted online, the internet was collectively holding its breath.
The fact that there was oncoming traffic made the situation particularly tense.
Particularly tense for everyone, bar Jan Skočaj, the Tesla driver himself.
He spoke to Supercar Blondie about how he felt during the viral moment and how he’s been sharing the technology with people in his village.
Self-driving cars have come on leaps and bounds in recent years
Twenty years ago, if you’d seen a car moving down a road without a driver behind the wheel, you would have thought you were hallucinating.
But now, this remarkable sight is a semi-regular occurrence on several city streets.
And not only that, but the technology is constantly evolving.
One chip is capable of detecting dangers on the road four times faster than a human.
That’s not forgetting that many people have sought to test the technology and push it to its limits, as one man demonstrated when he repeatedly jumped in front of a Cybercab to see if it’d brake.
But perhaps the biggest show of faith in the technology came from Jan Skočaj, a Slovenian man, and Tesla Model 3 Highland owner.
Related
This viral video of a self-driving Tesla Model 3 Highland had a lot of people feeling anxious
In the video, the Tesla Model 3 Highland is seen driving up Slovenia’s Mangart Saddle Road, taking Skočaj into the hearts of the Julian Alps.
At heights of 6,742 feet and with sharp drops, this evidently wasn’t a drive for the faint of heart.
Things weren’t made any easier by another car coming from the opposite direction.
But the FSD did what it was supposed to do, and safely took Skočaj on his way.
From an outside perspective, it looks like an intense experience.
Impressive maneuvering by Tesla FSD (Supervised) on the picturesque Mangart Saddle Road, the highest road in Slovenia (2,055 m), in the heart of the Julian Alps. 🇸🇮 Full video coming soon on my YouTube channel (https://t.co/HSF2zvcUfv), with more FSD tests in interesting situations coming in the future. Feel free to subscribe! @teslaeurope @Tesla @elonmusk @TeslaOwnersSLO
— Jan Skočaj (@JSkocaj) September 13, 2026
Did it feel that way for Skočaj?
“I was a little bit nervous because it was like the second or third day after the FSD was released in Slovenia,” he told Supercar Blondie.
“And I’d driven a couple of hundred kilometers, but on like normal roads and stuff like that, nothing serious.
“I decided to take uh to take the car up that road because it’s known as one of the most challenging in Slovenia. Very narrow and very steep cliffs below.
“Even though I held my hands [quite] close to this wheel, it was definitely not needed to intervene.”
This Tesla owner is a big advocate for the FSD technology – just ask his village
In early September, Slovenia became the sixth European country to give the all-clear to Tesla FSD, following in the footsteps of the Netherlands, Lithuania, Estonia, Denmark, and Belgium.
While it’s barely been legal for a month, Skočaj has wasted no time testing it out – and giving people in his local community a taste of it too.
“Some people [In Slovenia] are scared, some are skeptical,” he explained.
“I’ve taken more than 50 people on a ride along with me in the car, and not a single one felt in danger or scared.
“They were all impressed by how the car works in all conditions.
“I still have rides booked in for the next couple of weeks.”
Since the FSD update came in, he’s found the driving experience has totally changed.
“Since we got the update, I’ve not driven manually like more than 10 kilometers in total,” he said.
“When I get in the other car, like in the Volkswagen Passat with the steering wheel and manual transmission, it’s like going backwards in time.
“[FSD] is truly can be a lifesaver, and I believe that this technology will be very beneficial in the next five to 10 years.
“Basically, everyone will be using it in the car in the next 10 to 15 years.”
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
