Taking a California driver's test in a Model 3?

[rpratt]

My son is taking his driving test tomorrow to convert his learner's permit into a real California driver's license. He has spent more time driving my Tesla M3 than my wife's Lexus, and is more comfortable with it, but we're not sure about the driver's test.

Does anyone have recent experience taking the California driver's test in a Tesla, ideally a model 3? How did the examiner handle things like the "set and release the parking brake" requirement, since the Model 3 doesn't have a traditional parking brake.

He's taking the test at the DMV in Walnut Creek, SF Bay Area, so I would think the examiners have seen a reasonable number of Tesla's already but you never know.

Thanks for any experiences you can share!
Bob

 

[brkaus]

I'm curious too -but for Texas.

I've been teaching the kiddo to hold the park button for the emergency brake to play along w/ the script. Not sure about the start / stop / turn-off before getting out?

Also, I've heard some cover the backup camera. Not sure if they do that anymore? How would that work with the entire screen full of data?

 

[BLKMDL3]

I did mine in our P3D. Normal stuff, just point to where the controls are. The instructor loved the car and got 0 demerits

 

[ofcorona]

On the DMV guidlines, it states vehicle must be equipped with a emergency/parking brake for the driving test.

 

[BLKMDL3]

I just pointed to the park selector and say I hold this and she didnt care.

On the DMV guidlines, it states vehicle must be equipped with a emergency/parking brake for the driving test.

 

[derekmw]

On the DMV guidlines, it states vehicle must be equipped with a emergency/parking brake for the driving test.

Tesla's have a parking brake. it's applied automatically when you put it in park.

 

[ofcorona]

Tesla's have a parking brake. it's applied automatically when you put it in park.

I was assuming an actual foot or hand one. I know the tesla has automatic parking brake.

I just pointed to the park selector and say I hold this and she didnt care.

Haha that's cool to know now!

 

[WilliamG]

Just make the parking-brake foot-press motion with your left foot while surreptitiously pressing the button on the edge of the right stalk until the "P" symbol comes up. They'll never know!

 

[Uncle Paul]

Or just verbally indicate to instructor that you have confirmed visually that the car is in park.

 

[Need]

I took my driving test in the 80's... Do you still need to "pretend" to adjust the mirrors before you start the car? If so, make sure your son knows how to do the side mirrors! Use the new voice command to impress. And the windshield wiper.. in case it rains! I am pretty sure you get points deducted if you take your eyes/hand off the steering wheel to press the screen while driving. So he will need to activate the wipers with voice or just keep pressing the left stalk button...

 

[TT97]

I was assuming an actual foot or hand one. I know the tesla has automatic parking brake.

More and more cars now have electric parking brakes - I know my previous two cars both had them (Mercedes & Subaru). Foot or hand parking brakes are becoming less and less common. The DMV requirement is that it needs parking brake which, of course, Teslas have.

 

[NOLADriver]

Open the drivers door and say "hear that noise" (press park on stalk)..."thats the parking brake engaging"

 

[St☰v☰]

And then there's auto braking.. that should be worth a 5 minute discussion.

 

[mattack4000]

Do a full ludicrous launch

 

[doghousePVD]

Park and Parking Brake are not the same on the Tesla.

As in most cars, putting in Park puts the transmission into park but does not engage the parking brake. Push the button and hold, the parking brake engages, a separate braking mechanism than putting in Park or pressing the foot pedal.

In theory, if you lose the regular brakes and regen is not enough, you can press and hold the parking brake to stop.

 

[SD_Engnr]

Park and Parking Brake are not the same on the Tesla.

As in most cars, putting in Park puts the transmission into park but does not engage the parking brake. Push the button and hold, the parking brake engages, a separate braking mechanism than putting in Park or pressing the foot pedal.

In theory, if you lose the regular brakes and regen is not enough, you can press and hold the parking brake to stop.

Nah. When you press the park button on the stalk, and you hear the rear parking brake engage, it's in Park. It doesn't require holding the button. Source: page 50 and 63 of the owner's manual.

 

[St☰v☰]

Nah. When you press the park button on the stalk, and you hear the rear parking brake engage, it's in Park. It doesn't require holding the button. Source: page 50 and 63 of the owner's manual.

Interesting, so if you stop and open the driver's door, that action puts the car into park, does it also apply the parking brake?

 

[SD_Engnr]

Interesting, so if you stop and open the driver's door, that action puts the car into park, does it also apply the parking brake?

Yes. I've confirmed it by mistakenly thinking the car was parked, and then opening the door. No additional action is required, and no additional brake engages.

 

[TT97]

Yes. I've confirmed it by mistakenly thinking the car was parked, and then opening the door. No additional action is required, and no additional brake engages.

I had gotten in the poor habit of just opening the door to leave while still in gear (the warning message never bothered me) until I was driving my wife's ICE car and the car started rolling away as I opened the door and let go of the brake. I now make it a point to put my car in park before leaving (now I just have to remember to turn off the car and locking the doors when I drive her car).

 

[Zextraterrestrial]

I always use my parking brake while driving after I wash my car to dry the pads.
it is a standard E-parking brake on the end of the stalk. Use it if your brakes break