Automation in cars and the driving test

Gerrup Outta Dat!

I successfully did my B driving test nearly 7 years ago in my instructors Audi saloon, it was a 2003 car with little or no fancy trinkets.

A lot of newer cars have hill assist, lane departure warning and automatically brake when a hazard comes on front and trailer assist.

This will eliminate driver input for examinable parts of the test, hill start, positioning, reaction to hazards and reversing a trailer (the latter in the case of the BE exam). Should cars with these features be banned from the test?

My logic is if I did my test in an automatic car, I wouldn’t be allowed to drive a manual because I haven’t proven my ability to use gears. Similarly, a candidate using a car with hill assist will not have proven that they can do a hill start unaided.

It also seems strange that you can do your test in a 0.9 L Nissan micra and get a full unrestricted B license and be allowed to drive an 8-seater upto 3500 kg. Should you not have to drive the largest size of the vehicle in the category you are being examined in? Should B candidates not have to present for the test in an 8-seater 3,500 kg?

Should the test not have to be carried out in a large saloon type car to at least prove you can handle a decent size vehicle?

colm_mcm

A3 saloon only came out 3 years ago

Gerrup Outta Dat!

colm_mcm wrote: »

A3 saloon only came out 3 years ago

Ok then it was some kind of Audi saloon I still see it driving around the town. It’s a small family run school. Maybe it’s A4?

What’s your though my my OP anyway

bladespin

The tester will probably just ask that you switch the assists off.

colm_mcm

Holes in the story...

Gerrup Outta Dat!

colm_mcm wrote: »

Holes in the story...

What story Are you drunk?
This is the only “story” I have posted.

I successfully did my B driving test nearly 7 years ago in my instructors Audi saloon, it was a 2003 car with little or no fancy trinkets.

Pete67

Whatever about the automatic assistance possibly being of help during the test, why would you assume that driving a larger car is any more difficult than a smaller one? The tester is looking for good roadcraft, anticipation, progress and decent car control. It is easier to drive a larger car smoothly. It doesn't make any difference what size of car you are driving when the tester is evaluating your roadcraft, anticipation etc etc.

tossy

People should learn to drive in cars with no ABS, No power steering etc.

Hitman3000

tossy wrote:

People should learn to drive in cars with no ABS, No power steering etc.

All test cars should be a model 'T' Ford. No fancy roof either. Driving gloves and goggles permitted.

dar83

My conclusions:

1. College course is too boring/gives too much free time or
2. Need to find a new job, fast or
3. Need to start a journal and fill with all thoughts/musings.

Rubberchikken

Maybe it's part of the problem I see regularly with People, especially women who seem unable to reverse, park, or manoeuvre when required vehicles I'm willing to bet they didn't do their test in.
Very easy to drive a small car in a test and then upgrade to a compact suv or something larger. Too easy in fact.

bazz26

tossy wrote: »

People should learn to drive in cars with no ABS, No power steering etc.

Then there would be no opportunity for someone to start another thread on boards.ie.

caldew

All modern driving aids are permitted on test if used correctly. I have heard that people driving cars with autohold will be marked if they don't put handbrake on when stopped at lights for a long period as autohold only stops you rolling backwards, not being pushed forward.

Alanstrainor

As it stands, you can use a lot of features for the test. Things such as autohold are fine, you can complete your hill start using this function. You must make sure to check your mirrors/blind spot and indicate appropriately as usual. The same with a reversing camera to help you reversing around the corner. You can use it, but only to supplement the defined process. You must check your blind spot before turning the wheel in the reverse around the corner manoeuvre.

I'm trying to think of what other tech that is current that would help you in a driving test. Some volvo's have blind spot warning lights in the wing mirrors, but I doubt these would suffice in a test. Auto-braking is not something that should come up. If it does it would be likely that the driver has already made a mistake.

caldew

Speed limit sensors?

Alanstrainor

caldew wrote: »

Speed limit sensors?

Good one. Again I see no reason why these would not be allowed during a test. You tend to not hear too many people failing for going over the limit. In fact I've heard more of the opposite. People going too slowly, or failing to make sufficient progress when moving off.