NJ Driver's License Road Test using Model 3?

[pete_shaw]

My son has his NJ driver's license road test later this week. Our M3 is the primary car he is driving (other being MDX, which is too big for this purpose) and was planning on using M3 for his road test. I am getting mixed messages from search here and on other sites but that may be just because some posts may be dated.

I would like confirmation from someone who knows for sure if M3 is allowed for driver's license road test in New Jersey? If so, is there anything specific he should be doing such as covering the dashboard screen or disabling any feature etc.?

Appreciate any response that can eliminate the confusion for us one way or the other. TIA.

 

[kacper244]

Since the M3 has a electronic parking brake, you can’t use it for the NJ driver’s license test.

 

[AmokTime]

From the rules, it says the test guy must have access to the emergency brake from the center console. I think this is a safety thing - that the test guy has to be able to save himself from an out-of-control driver by pulling the emergency brake. As in, “No, I said this test is <screeeeeech> OVER!”

 

[pete_shaw]

Since the M3 has a electronic parking brake, you can’t use it for the NJ driver’s license test.

Thank you for sharing this although it isn't the answer I was hoping for and still hope someone says it has now changed, lol.

 

[pete_shaw]

From the rules, it says the test guy must have access to the emergency brake from the center console. I think this is a safety thing - that the test guy has to be able to save himself from an out-of-control driver by pulling the emergency brake. As in, “No, I said this test is <screeeeeech> OVER!”

That should be ok for M3 since the emergency parking can be activated i M3 by a passenger using the right lever on the steering wheel.

 

[dmurphy]

Yes, it's usable. Bring a towel - they will want to cover the screen so the driver can't use the backup camera.

One of the members in our local Tesla Club was able to do this - might have to show the instructor how to engage the parking brake but it is reachable from the passenger's seat, so it is permissible.

 

[MP3Mike]

Things that exclude a car from being used for the test: NJ MVC | Road Test

Possible reasons why your vehicle will cause you to be denied the opportunity to take the road test:

• It is deemed unsafe or unsuitable for a road test.
• It has an improper, expired, or no inspection sticker.
• Equipment in the vehicle prevents the Safety Specialist from reaching the foot or parking brakes.
• It is a self-parking vehicle.
• There is a defect or condition that affects the safe operation of the vehicle including poor brakes, a defective parking brake, unsafe tires, unreasonably unclean interior, a fast engine idle, or missing seatbelts.
• It does not have the required license plate decals.
• Tinted windows. See more information on tinted windows.

If you have EAP/FSD that might be a problem. (Auto parking.) But I would think the parking brake would be OK because the "Safety Specialist" would be able to reach the shifter stalk and press the button.

 

[pete_shaw]

Yes, it's usable. Bring a towel - they will want to cover the screen so the driver can't use the backup camera.

One of the members in our local Tesla Club was able to do this - might have to show the instructor how to engage the parking brake but it is reachable from the passenger's seat, so it is permissible.

Thank you. This is really helpful.

 

[pete_shaw]

Things that exclude a car from being used for the test: NJ MVC | Road Test



If you have EAP/FSD that might be a problem. (Auto parking.) But I would think the parking brake would be OK because the "Safety Specialist" would be able to reach the shifter stalk and press the button.

Yes, I have FSD in M3 but my son won't be using that during the road test. Thank you.

 

[DwightKSchrute]

My son took the model 3 for the New Jersey road test. And passed
Just be sure he knows how the parking brake works. and he used the backup cameras. We took the test in Lodi
Just don't use electronic aids like auto parking

 

[Tam]

...mixed messages...

My opinion is: This is a driver's test, not a car's automation capability test so it should be fine to use Tesla but you might want to make sure that you act as if it's a conventional car without the driving aids of the cruise, Autopilot, Autopark, FSD...

You'll just have to disclose that although the car can have automatic driving aids but you won't use them and tell the DMV staff that the cruse icon and the autosteer icons will not be lit up teal to make sure all the driving comes from human and not from the automation system.

One sticky point is whether the DMV staff would approve rearview camera for left and right turns and changing lane and parking, reversing or not.

Just disclose that rearview camera capability so you can turn them off when driving forward, and throw in a towel when you go reverse, parking...

Since backup camera has been mandatory since 2018 for all new cars in the US, I don't think parking with the rearview camera would be a problem.

In summary, just communicate to the DMV staff of the car's capability and how you won't use the automation to prove your human skill and it should be smooth.

Good luck!

 

[pete_shaw]

My son took the model 3 for the New Jersey road test. And passed
Just be sure he knows how the parking brake works. and he used the backup cameras. We took the test in Lodi
Just don't use electronic aids like auto parking

Thank you for this positive confirmation. Appreciate it.

On a side note, although my son has practiced parallel parking without the help of backup camera to be safe for passing the test, I found an article from 4+ years ago on nj.com that says backup cameras are allowed. N.J. driving test just got a little easier

 

[Zorak03]

My wife took the Alabama road test in our Model 3. No problem except the examiner was more interested in the car than her driving. She passed.

 

[Zorak03]

Yes, it's usable. Bring a towel - they will want to cover the screen so the driver can't use the backup camera.

One of the members in our local Tesla Club was able to do this - might have to show the instructor how to engage the parking brake but it is reachable from the passenger's seat, so it is permissible.

My wife just used the X to close the camera window.

 

[Needsdecaf]

From the rules, it says the test guy must have access to the emergency brake from the center console. I think this is a safety thing - that the test guy has to be able to save himself from an out-of-control driver by pulling the emergency brake. As in, “No, I said this test is <screeeeeech> OVER!”

That seems like a bunch of crap. By that rule, the OP's MDX may also be unable to be used, as depending on age, it might have a foot activated parking brake. I know my second gen MDX did!

 

[Needsdecaf]

Thank you for this positive confirmation. Appreciate it.

On a side note, although my son has practiced parallel parking without the help of backup camera to be safe for passing the test, I found an article from 4+ years ago on nj.com that says backup cameras are allowed. N.J. driving test just got a little easier

I can't imagine they wouldn't be. They're a federal requirement for all cars produced in 2018 and beyond....

 

[dmurphy]

I can't imagine they wouldn't be. They're a federal requirement for all cars produced in 2018 and beyond....

It took a little while for the DMV to catch up with the new regulations but it looks like we're finally there.

Is anyone surprised?

 

[AmokTime]

I think they can ignore that rule if the test guy can reach your brake pedal from the passenger seat, but that doesn’t seem practical in most cars. Here is a link to the rules:

NJ MVC | Road Test

It says, “...The vehicle must allow the Safety Specialist access to the emergency brake from the passenger seat. The Safety Specialist must be able to reach either the foot brake or parking brake.”

That rules out cars with an emergency brake pedal to the left of the brake pedal - you’d have to be Kareem Abdul Jabbar to reach that from the passenger seat, especially if you’re belted in.

 

[dmurphy]

That rules out cars with an emergency brake pedal to the left of the brake pedal - you’d have to be Kareem Abdul Jabbar to reach that from the passenger seat, especially if you’re belted in.

In the days when seats were benches, that wasn't a big deal since the instructor could reach the regular brake.

There's an entire cottage industry of folks who rent out Honda Civics for road tests, since they have a enter-mounted manual brake and, well, kids are comfortable driving a small car like that.

 

[DwightKSchrute]

Thank you for this positive confirmation. Appreciate it.

On a side note, although my son has practiced parallel parking without the help of backup camera to be safe for passing the test, I found an article from 4+ years ago on nj.com that says backup cameras are allowed. N.J. driving test just got a little easier

Joseph used the backup and side camera on his test. To be honest the Tesla is the only car he feels safe driving. As long as I set the speed and lock it in chill mode, I do too

 

[pete_shaw]

I am so pissed. We went for the test today at Edison facility and my son was denied the test because of "No central E Brake or H/Brake" in the M3. We showed the man how to use the brake and how easily accessible it is to the passenger but despite all logic, pleading with folded hands and requesting an opportunity to speak to a supervisor who may be able to make the decision on my request, nothing would work. I don't even know what to do now. The requirement is "A registered vehicle with a current inspection sticker and an insurance card. The vehicle must allow the Safety Specialist access to the emergency brake from the passenger seat. The Safety Specialist must be able to reach either the foot brake or parking brake.". This is clearly not a problem for Model 3.
Ughhhh.