Tesla Features Lead to Teen Failing Driver’s Test in New Jersey
Recently, a 16-year-old in New Jersey faced a setback during his driver’s license test due to the use of Tesla features. This incident is not an isolated one, as similar cases have been reported in the past both in the U.S. and other countries.
It highlights a disconnect between some officials and the technological advancements in the automotive industry, particularly those found in Tesla vehicles. Unlike other car manufacturers, Tesla includes advanced features in all its models, which can sometimes lead to confusion during driver’s tests.
During his test, Lochlan Keefer was accused by the examiner of relying on parking and stopping assistance features of his family’s 2022 Tesla Model Y. Despite not subscribing to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving suite, Lochlan was failed for allegedly using driver assistance features during the test.
His father, James, clarified that the accusations were unfounded, as they did not have access to paid parking-assist and driving features. The confusion may have stemmed from Tesla’s regenerative braking system, which was mistaken for an advanced driver assistance feature.
Despite offering to disable regenerative braking for the test, Lochlan was told he would have to wait two weeks for a retest. The DMV’s policy, which supposedly prohibited the use of certain Tesla features during tests, could not be produced or cited by the examiners.
Similar incidents have been reported in California and Arizona, where Tesla drivers have faced challenges during their driving tests due to misunderstandings about the capabilities of their vehicles.
It is essential for officials and examiners to stay informed about the latest automotive technologies to avoid such misunderstandings and ensure fair assessments during driver’s tests.