Ready to share the thrill of driving your Tesla with someone new? Whether it's a family member, a friend, or someone borrowing your car, adding a new driver to your Tesla is a straightforward process that leverages the power of the Tesla app and your vehicle's integrated systems. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Get Ready – The Essentials You'll Need
Before you begin, make sure you have a few things in order. This will ensure a smooth and stress-free experience for both you and the new driver.
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| How To Add New Driver Tesla |
1.1: Ensure Your Tesla App is Up-to-Date
The Tesla app is your primary tool for managing your vehicle, and this includes adding and removing drivers.
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For you (the owner): Make sure your Tesla mobile app is updated to the latest version. This ensures you have access to all the necessary features and a seamless connection with your car.
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For the new driver: They will also need to download the Tesla app on their smartphone. It's available for both iOS and Android.
1.2: New Driver Needs a Tesla Account
The person you're adding will need their own Tesla Account. If they don't have one, they can easily create one through the Tesla app during the process. This account will be linked to their individual driver profile.
1.3: Vehicle Connectivity is Key
Both your phone and your Tesla need to have a stable internet connection for the invitation and profile syncing to work correctly. This means a good cellular signal or a Wi-Fi connection for your car.
Step 2: Adding the New Driver via the Tesla App
This is the most common and recommended method for adding a new driver. It's quick, efficient, and gives the new driver their own set of preferences.
2.1: Open the Tesla App and Select Your Vehicle
Tip: A slow skim is better than a rushed read.
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Launch the Tesla app on your smartphone.
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If you own multiple Teslas, select the specific vehicle you wish to grant access to.
2.2: Navigate to Security & Drivers
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On the vehicle's main screen within the app, scroll down until you find the "Security & Drivers" section.
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Tap on it to open the security settings.
2.3: Manage Drivers and Send Invitation
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Within "Security & Drivers," you'll see "Manage Drivers." Tap this option.
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Now, tap on "Add Driver." The app will prompt you to enter the new driver's email address or phone number. Double-check for accuracy to ensure the invitation goes to the right person!
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Once you've entered their details, send the invitation. The status will likely show as "Pending."
2.4: New Driver Accepts the Invitation
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The invited individual will receive an invitation (via email or SMS, depending on what you entered).
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They need to open this invitation and follow the prompts. If they don't have a Tesla account, they'll be guided to create one. If they do, they'll simply log in.
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Once they accept, their Tesla Profile will appear in your vehicle's Driver Profile settings on the touchscreen.
Step 3: Setting Up the New Driver Profile in the Car
Once the invitation is accepted, the new driver can personalize their driving experience directly from the Tesla's touchscreen.
3.1: Access Driver Profiles on the Touchscreen
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Inside your Tesla, on the touchscreen, tap the driver profile icon at the top of the screen (it usually looks like a silhouette of a person).
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This will bring up the list of available driver profiles. The new driver's name should now appear.
3.2: Create and Customize the New Profile
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If they haven't already, the new driver should select their name from the list.
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The car will then prompt them to create their profile if it's their first time. They can adjust various settings, including:
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Seat position
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Steering wheel position
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Exterior side mirror positions
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Climate control preferences
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Navigation favorites and recents
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Media settings
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Autopilot and driving preferences
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These settings will be automatically saved to their new driver profile. A green checkmark next to their profile icon will confirm it's saved.
3.3: Linking a Key (Optional, but Recommended!)
To make the experience truly seamless, you can link a key (phone key or key card) to the new driver's profile. This allows the Tesla to automatically select their profile when that linked key is detected upon entering the vehicle.
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Ensure the new driver's profile is active on the touchscreen.
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Go to Controls > Locks > Keys.
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You'll see a list of linked keys. Tap the driver icon next to the relevant key (the new driver's phone or a specific key card) to link it to their profile. The driver's name will appear under the key to confirm the linkage.
Tip: Take a sip of water, then continue fresh.
Step 4: ️ Managing and Revoking Driver Access
As the primary owner, you have full control over who has access to your Tesla.
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4.1: Removing a Driver via the Tesla App
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Open your Tesla app.
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Go to "Security & Drivers" > "Manage Drivers."
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Next to the driver's name you wish to remove, tap "Remove."
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Confirm your decision. This will revoke their mobile app access and remove their Tesla Profile from the vehicle.
4.2: What Access Do Added Drivers Have?
Added drivers using the app will have access to most Tesla app features for your vehicle, including:
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Vehicle access (locking/unlocking, remote start)
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Service scheduling, review, and history
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In-app messages
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Vehicle location information
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Climate controls
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Charging status and history
However, they generally do not have access to:
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Purchasing upgrades
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Adding or removing other drivers
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Managing payment methods
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Accessing insurance information
Step 5: ✨ The Benefits of Driver Profiles and Multiple Drivers
Adding new drivers isn't just about sharing; it's about personalizing the Tesla experience for everyone.
5.1: Personalized Driving Experience
Each driver gets their own customized settings, from seat and mirror positions to climate and driving preferences. This means no more fiddling with controls every time someone new gets behind the wheel!
5.2: Convenient Access
With mobile app access and linked keys, authorized drivers can unlock, start, and control the Tesla with ease, even without a physical key.
Tip: Don’t rush — enjoy the read.
5.3: Enhanced Security
The owner retains full control, able to add or remove drivers at any time, providing peace of mind when lending out the vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to add a temporary driver to my Tesla?
You can add a temporary driver by following the steps outlined above using the Tesla app. When their period of use is over, simply remove them from the "Manage Drivers" section in your Tesla app.
How to link a phone key to a new driver profile in a Tesla?
Once the new driver has accepted the invitation and created their profile on the car's touchscreen, ensure their profile is active. Then go to Controls > Locks > Keys and link their phone key to their profile by tapping the driver icon next to it.
How to ensure my Tesla adjusts to the correct driver profile automatically?
Ensure each driver's phone key or key card is linked to their specific driver profile. The Tesla typically prioritizes the profile linked to the key detected closest to the driver's side door when it's opened.
How to remove a driver from my Tesla?
Open your Tesla app, go to Security & Drivers, then Manage Drivers. Find the driver's name you wish to remove and tap "Remove." Confirm the action.
QuickTip: Use the post as a quick reference later.
How to troubleshoot if a new driver can't accept the Tesla invitation?
First, ensure both the owner's and the new driver's Tesla apps are updated to the latest version. Confirm the invitation was sent to the correct email or phone number. If issues persist, contact Tesla Customer Support.
How to create a new Tesla account for an invited driver?
When the new driver receives the invitation, if they don't have a Tesla account, the acceptance link will guide them through the process of creating one before they can accept the vehicle access.
How to check which drivers are currently authorized for my Tesla?
You can see all authorized drivers by opening your Tesla app, navigating to Security & Drivers, and then Manage Drivers. A list of all active drivers will be displayed there.
How to transfer vehicle ownership of a Tesla instead of just adding a driver?
Transferring ownership is a different process than adding a driver. It's done through your Tesla Account on Tesla's website or by contacting Tesla Support, and it involves changing the registered owner of the vehicle.
How to give a new driver limited access to my Tesla?
When you add a driver through the app, they automatically receive a standard set of permissions (e.g., driving, climate, charging info) but are restricted from sensitive actions like purchasing upgrades or managing other drivers. There are no granular settings for further limiting access for individual drivers beyond this standard.
How to ensure a new driver's preferences are saved in my Tesla?
Once the new driver selects their profile on the touchscreen and adjusts settings like seat position, mirrors, and climate, these preferences are automatically saved to their profile. A green checkmark next to their profile icon indicates successful saving.
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