Tesla Features Spark Driver's Test Controversy in New Jersey

A recent incident in New Jersey highlights a growing issue where Tesla's advanced features are causing confusion during driver's license tests. A 16-year-old was failed for allegedly using "parking and stopping assistance" in his Tesla Model Y, despite his family asserting they do not subscribe to Full Self-Driving and that standard regenerative braking was misinterpreted.

Tesla Features Cause Driver's Test Confusion

Lochlan Keefer, a 16-year-old from New Jersey, failed his driver's license test after the examiner accused him of using automated assistance features in his 2022 Tesla Model Y. The examiner's report stated, "Had the parking and stopping assistance on never stepped on the brake to stop his self let the vehicle stop it self."

Misinterpretation of Standard Features

Lochlan's father, James Keefer, clarified that they do not subscribe to Tesla's Full Self-Driving suite, which includes features like Autopark. He believes the examiner confused standard regenerative braking with automated stopping assistance. Regenerative braking is a common feature in electric vehicles that slows the car when the accelerator is released, converting kinetic energy back into battery power.

James Keefer stated, "The examiner accused my son of using driver assistance features simply because he parallel parked smoothly on the first try. He was specifically accused of using paid parking-assist and driving features, which we do not subscribe to."

Policy Discrepancy and Broader Implications

After the failure, James Keefer requested to see the policy his son allegedly violated, but DMV officials were unable to provide it. He noted that when he presented the actual policy, they refused to read it. This incident is not isolated; similar cases of driver's test failures due to misunderstandings of Tesla's features have been reported in California and Arizona.

Key Takeaways

• Examiners are misinterpreting standard Tesla features, such as regenerative braking, as automated assistance.

• Drivers are being failed for using features that are either standard or not subscribed to.

• There appears to be a lack of clear policy or understanding among some DMV officials regarding advanced automotive technology.

• This issue is not confined to one state, with similar incidents reported across the U.S.