Park assist and parking aids

Parking aids range from simple beeping sensors to a system that steers for you. For the exam one rule matters more than all the technology: during the bijzondere verrichtingen on your practical exam, automatic parking is not allowed.

How does it work?

Ultrasonic sensors in the bumpers measure the distance to obstacles and turn that into beeps that speed up as you get closer. A reversing camera adds an image, often with guide lines that move with your steering.

A true park assist goes further: it finds a suitable space, calculates the path and steers itself while you work the throttle and brake. Some systems do that last part too.

What the CBR asks about this

• You keep the sensors and camera lens clean. Mud, snow or a layer of ice makes parking aids unreliable or disables them.
• You keep looking yourself. The camera shows what is behind you, not what is coming from the side.
• You know which parking aid your car has and how to operate it. Especially in a car you do not know.

This system falls under these guidelines from the Rijprocedure B:

Limitations: This is where the exam questions are

Low and thin obstacles are missed

A bollard, a towbar, a kerb or a bicycle leaning against a wall often falls outside the sensors’ range. The camera does show them, but only if you look.

The system does not see crossing traffic

Standard parking aids look straight back. Pedestrians or cyclists coming from the side only appear once it is too late.

Dirt and weather disable sensors

Ultrasonic sensors are sensitive to a layer of ice or dried mud. You often get a fault message, sometimes just a system that stops reporting anything.

Automatic parking is not allowed on your practical exam

The CBR is explicit: the automatic parking system may not be used during the bijzondere verrichtingen. You have to show your own vehicle control. Parking sensors and a camera you may use normally.

Three practice questions

Open one for the answer and the explanation.

May you use automatic parking during the bijzondere verrichtingen on your practical exam?

• No, that is not allowed; you must show your own vehicle control
• Yes, if the car has the system you may use it
• Yes, but only for parallel parking
• Only if the examiner gives permission beforehand

Correct answer: No, that is not allowed; you must show your own vehicle control

Explanation: The CBR explicitly excludes the automatic parking system during the bijzondere verrichtingen. Parking sensors and a reversing camera you may use.

Your parking sensors give no signal at all while you reverse into a space. What do you do?

• Look yourself and get out if needed; sensors miss low obstacles
• Carry on, no signal means it is clear
• Reverse faster so the sensors measure better
• Switch off the camera so the sensors work better

Correct answer: Look yourself and get out if needed; sensors miss low obstacles

Explanation: The driver observes for themselves. Bollards, kerbs and towbars regularly fall outside the range of ultrasonic sensors.

Why do your parking aids not work after a frosty night?

• A layer of ice or dirt on the sensors blocks the measurement
• Parking aids do not work below freezing
• The battery supplies too little voltage for the sensors
• The sensors switch themselves off at low temperatures

Correct answer: A layer of ice or dirt on the sensors blocks the measurement

Explanation: You check before the drive that sensors and cameras are clean and unobstructed. A covered sensor does not measure.

Written on the basis of the official CBR Rijprocedure B. These are not real exam questions.