Teenager who aced driving test is denied a license for using a Tesla

A teenager who believed she passed her driving test ended up failing after the DMV deemed the vehicle in which she took the test to be 'too advanced'.

The teen, who has not been named, was driving her family's Tesla Model Y in Arizona.

Following the end of the test, the budding young motorist was under the impression she had passed, but was told to return to the DMV the following day to finalize things.

It was when she went back she was told she had failed because the examiner believed the she had been relying on the car's Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature and had not been using the brake pedal enough. 

A Tesla with Full Self-Driving mode can automatically brake in certain situations, including traffic lights and stop signs.

'If we don't know she can brake with the brake pedal, then how do we know she can drive a non-Tesla?' the Arizona Department of Transportation (AZDOT) official said, according to the father's post on Reddit.

Despite the family's explanation that the car didn't have FSD engaged and that the car’s regenerative braking system was responsible for the limited use of the brake pedal. 

Regenerative braking, a feature common in many EVs, automatically slows the car down when the driver eases off the accelerator, reducing the need for traditional braking. 

The AZDOT refused to revise the result of the test, with one DMV employee suggesting Teslas could be banned from future tests because of their 'excessive safety features.' 

After some persistence the Arizona DMV eventually relented and reversed its decision granting the teen her license but suggested the organization may be reevaluating how it goes about testing Tesla drivers in the future.

As electric vehicles including Teslas become more common, driving instructors may need to adjust their testing methods including instructing candidates to disable any automatic braking features to ensure drivers can demonstrate manual control.   

The teen’s father, frustrated with the situation, pointed out that drivers of automatic transmissions aren't required to demonstrate they can operate a manual transmission during their tests, yet they still get licensed. 

Those reading the Reddit thread shared similar stories having taken tests in a Tesla noting how there appears to be a growing disconnect between modern electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional driving tests.

'My girlfriend failed due to using the rearview cameras when reversing,' one user said.

'The DMV hasn't caught up with the times and doesn't know how to handle EVs,' suggested another. 

Not everyone appeared to share sympathy with the family. 

'If she ever has to drive a regular car, will she know how to brake properly?' one asked, while another sided with the DMV's take. 

'They want to make sure you know how to brake, especially in an emergency.'

Some suggested a simple driving test fix could be introduced that would require drivers to turn off features such as regenerative braking and lane-assist systems during their road tests.

It would ensure new drivers are able to perform basic manual tasks, including braking and parking, without assistance.