Technology is part of everyday driving. ADAS or driver assistance systems are common in almost all vehicles and there are more and more types of systems that help prevent traffic accidents and make driving much more comfortable and efficient. In fact, many of these ADAS are mandatory in newly manufactured passenger cars by European order.
Thus, with this background context, it was to be expected that at some point the practical exams to obtain a driving license would be updated and contemplate the use of ADAS during the development of the test. The DGT has published an instruction in this regard And, surprise, it does not always favor the permit applicant. In fact, the use of ADAS while driving can even be a reason for failing.
“We have considered it necessary to move forward too -explains María José Aparicio, General Deputy Director of Training and Road Education of the DGT-, expanding the driving assistance systems accepted for examination and regulating the qualification in case they act when necessary”.
The DGT on the ADAS in the practical tests of the card
On September 12, it entered into force. an instruction from the DGT that updates the ADAS application in the vehicles destined to the tests to obtain the permits. “It includes the driving assistance systems that can be used during the aptitude and behavior control tests, as well as the qualification criteria that must be applied. The systems not included in this instruction will not be admitted, and must be deactivated during the examination in case the vehicle comes equipped with them ”, explains the DGT.
The list of ADAS allowed by the DGT is the following: Tire Pressure Control; Collision warning with pedestrians and cyclists; Emergency braking for pedestrians and cyclists; Driver distraction warning; Information about blind spots; lane maintenance; and Lane Departure Warning.
What happens if an ADAS is activated in the exam?
The instruction explains how the examiner should act when one of these systems works during the exam, in the sense of whether or not to penalize the student’s performance and the fact. For example, if during the test the Emergency Braking works“the examiner will assess the situation as if it were an intervention by the teacher and grading accordingly”, says the instruction.
Thus, if the assistance system intervention is correct to avoid an accident or qualifying foul, it will be classified as such and the student will be suspended or the absence noted. If, on the other hand, the intervention is incorrect due to an excess of anticipation or because the circumstances did not require it, “it will not be qualified”, details the instruction.
Similarly, the examiner may ask the student to activate or deactivate any of the ADAS or point out the controls that activate them, to make sure the knowledge of the applicant for the permit on this technology, mandatory or optional, of the vehicle.