Exam Failure Due to Regenerative Braking
A teenager in Canada failed her practical driving exam because she did not use the traditional brakes. Instead, she relied on the regenerative braking function in the Tesla Model Y, which automatically slows the car down without pressing the brake pedal. The examiner counted this as a violation, as the rules require active use of the brake pedal.
Technology vs. Traditional Rules
The girl was driving her father’s car and did not know how to turn off the regenerative braking system. The examiner from Drive Test Ontario denied her the opportunity to stop the test to consult with her father and marked the car as “defective,” even though it was functioning properly. Additionally, she was fined for the Tesla’s horn sound, which alerted her to the traffic light turning green.
I find this quite disappointing, because even if it’s regenerative braking and you’re not using the brake pedal, you are clearly the one who is fully in control of stopping or slowing down the car
Inconsistency of Standards
After the story was published on social media, it was revealed that Ontario has conflicting approaches: some test-takers were allowed to use regenerative braking during the test, while others were required to turn it off. This discrepancy is due to the lack of clear guidelines from Drive Test Ontario and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation regarding such technologies.
A ministry of transportation representative noted that candidates must understand how their vehicle’s systems affect control, yet no specific requirements regarding the use of the brake pedal or regenerative braking are stated on the official websites. This creates uncertainty for drivers who use modern electric vehicles and highlights the need to update the rules in accordance with technological progress.