Driving test failure due to use of regen braking

[Londonboy49]

Just seen a report from Ontario, Canada where a young lady driver failed her driving test because she used regen braking instead of proper brakes.

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[Snakebitten]

Ontario

Would she have failed in a different province? Just curious

 

[ack154]

I remember a story like that popping up on here at some point, but I think it was this one about a Tesla:

And based on what that person is saying, they assumed she was using FSD - but then when corrected, they still decided to fail her because she didn't use the brake "enough".

 

[E90alex]

Hard to believe in 2025 that’s the first time that someone in an EV with 1PD took the test??

Unless it’s in some very small rural town in the province. Or that proctor specifically is very anti EV and failed them on purpose.

 

[kdonnel]

Google seems to think that many states would fail you for using 1 pedal mode on the road test.

As part of the test you are supposed to demonstrate your ability to control a vehicle using both the accelerator and the brake pedal.

 

[DugthePug Dad]

That's something I never thought about.

I haven't taken the driving test since my 16th birthday...

Many years ago.

 

[LLT]

I remember a story like that popping up on here at some point, but I think it was this one about a Tesla:

And based on what that person is saying, they assumed she was using FSD - but then when corrected, they still decided to fail her because she didn't use the brake "enough".

Hopefully your daughter knows how to drive a non-electric vehicle since most cars are not EVs. What happens if she's renting a car, borrowing a car, or switching out on road trips in a car that doesn't have one pedal drive mode? I can see the point at the DMV. Why not just take the test in regular drive mode?

 

[Snakebitten]

I personally think the driving test should be technology agnostic enough for a person to pass in either an EV with 1-pedal, or a standard transmission Miata.

The tester should be qualified to be able to discern both objectively and subjectively whether the driver passed in THAT vehicle.

Afterall, if they passed the test in an automatic Miata, that doesn't mean they would have passed in the standard transmission Miata.

 

[LLT]

I personally think the driving test should be technology agnostic enough for a person to pass in either an EV with 1-pedal, or a standard transmission Miata.

The tester should be qualified to be able to discern both objectively and subjectively whether the driver passed in THAT vehicle.

Afterall, if they passed the test in an automatic Miata, that doesn't mean they would have passed in the standard transmission Miata.

The fact is that most cars in the US have automatic transmissions and use a brake pedal, so even if you have a standard or 1-pedal EV, chances are you'll need to know how to drive a car with automatic and a brake pedal so it makes sense to learn. EVs can switch to regular drive mode, so it's not that difficult to take the test that way.
I do love that people are providing their children with EVs and teaching them to drive with regenerative braking! My question for parents doing this is how do you keep your kids from driving fast? My Mach-E is fast, and many teenagers like to speed. I picture all the high school boys racing around and it's a scary thought, lol. At least with the Tesla they can put it in self driving mode.

 

[Mr. Toejam]

I am sure she was in one-pedal. I am fully behind all driving aids be turned off during testing. FSD, Bluecruise, lane center, one-pedal, speed limit detection, GPS, etc...

Too many horrible drivers out there already.

Regen is just like engine braking with an ICE car, especially a manual transmission. So I doubt it was just regen.

I took my drivers test with a 1978 Manual Toyota Celica (That was 40 years and 2 days ago on my 16th birthday...Yikes!!!). The DMV guy said "Are you sure?". After the test, he asked if I lived on a farm and I said yes. Most farm equipment had manuals and he said I was pretty smooth. He gave me a 98% because he never gives out 100%. On top of that, my dad said the same guy gave him his driving test 30+ years before me...he didn't know him, but small town life.

This stirs up another story. 4 years ago, I went to nice restaurant for an event that only had valet parking. I had my 2016 GT. 5 valets (all male, ages 18-25) and not a single one could drive a stick...absolutely no clue on what to do. They wouldn't let me park it because of insurance reasons. After 15 minutes and multiple employees saying they could not drive stick, the restaurant manager comes out with a young lady who was a waitress. She said she could drive stick (her dad made her learn and she ended up loving it). She showed me a video of her driving her slammed civic with a stick. She parked it right out front (maybe 20 ft) so that I didn't need the valets to leave. As I gave her a $20 tip (just because she just flexed in front of those other guys), she said we was going to go check out a GT because she could already feel the power and was immediately hooked.

So maybe 10+ guys and not a single one could drive a manual. Very sad, especially in car crazy So-Cal.

I guess I am just saying that all of these driving aids, which I absolutely enjoy (not the speed limiting stuff), are producing worse and worse drivers.

 

[Mr. Toejam]

The fact is that most cars in the US have automatic transmissions and use a brake pedal, so even if you have a standard or 1-pedal EV, chances are you'll need to know how to drive a car with automatic and a brake pedal so it makes sense to learn. EVs can switch to regular drive mode, so it's not that difficult to take the test that way.
I do love that people are providing their children with EVs and teaching them to drive with regenerative braking! My question for parents doing this is how do you keep your kids from driving fast? My Mach-E is fast, and many teenagers like to speed. I picture all the high school boys racing around and it's a scary thought, lol. At least with the Tesla they can put it in self driving mode.

Ford MyKey allows you to limit or control certain aspects of the car, like speed limits, car audio system, etc.

One of my keys is reserved for valets. No Ferris Bueller moments.

 

[Snakebitten]

No matter what vehicle a person shows up to test in, you could what-if yourself into failing them.

Here's a what-if that applies to any applicant no matter how great they performed during the test......

What-if they leave with their new well earned driver's license and head down the road looking at Facebook?

I don't know if we are producing worse drivers today.
But I do think we have produced a smartphone addiction that distracts more and more people when they are driving.

 

[MacherAWD]

Ford MyKey allows you to limit or control certain aspects of the car, like speed limits, car audio system, etc.

One of my keys is reserved for valets. No Ferris Bueller moments.

Its a start, but the my key should be able to limit power, say 50% power or something. Then it would be useful for young drivers.

 

[MacherAWD]

Hopefully your daughter knows how to drive a non-electric vehicle since most cars are not EVs. What happens if she's renting a car, borrowing a car, or switching out on road trips in a car that doesn't have one pedal drive mode? I can see the point at the DMV. Why not just take the test in regular drive mode?

My kids, and my Nieces/nefews will likely never drive an ICE. In 10 years you may not be able to buy one. We should be thinking ahead.

 

[NorthlandPhil]

My 2 cents goes to…you gotta demonstrate that you can decelerate and stop without OPD. Seriously, if you can’t do that you do not deserve a drivers license. Unless maybe they come up with a restricted license, just like “requires corrective lenses”, it would say “requires one pedal drive” (?)

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