Driver assistance systems (ADAS) on the CBR theory exam
Since 1 oktober 2026 the CBR asks more about driver assistance systems on the car theory exam. The questions are not about technology but about what you do while a system is switched on. The rule behind almost every question: no system takes over your responsibility. The exam stays 50 questions, and you need 44 right.
What changed
Driver assistance systems were already on the exam: which dashboard symbol belongs to which system, what cruise control does. Since 1 april 2026 knowledge of how these systems work, and the awareness that they assist rather than drive, is part of the official exam requirements for category B. On 1 oktober 2026 the CBR extended the questions, with the emphasis on how you drive while using them. No extra study material was announced.
System by system: what it does, where it stops, what you do
| System | What it does | Where it stops working | What you do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adaptive cruise control (ACC) | Keeps your speed and brakes with the car in front. | Heavy rain, snow or fog; a car cutting in close; stationary objects. | Choose a safe following distance yourself and brake when the situation calls for it. |
| Lane assist | Steers you back if you drift out of your lane without indicating. | Missing or worn lines, snow, roadworks. | Hands on the wheel; you keep the car in its lane. |
| Blind spot detection | Warns with a light in the mirror when a vehicle is beside or behind you. | Fast motorcyclists, cyclists and narrow vehicles are not always seen. | Mirrors and a shoulder check, every time. |
| Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) | Brakes on its own if a collision is about to happen. | At big speed differences it only reduces the impact; dirty sensors switch it off. | Never rely on it; brake in time and keep your distance. |
| Intelligent speed assistance (ISA) | Reads the speed limit and warns or limits your speed. | Roadworks, electronic signs, old map data, a sign meant for an exit. | The sign by the road counts, not the screen. |
| Parking sensors and camera | Measure the distance to obstacles and show what is behind you. | Low posts, tow bars, dirt or snow on a sensor. | Look around yourself before and while you manoeuvre. |
| ABS and ESP | ABS stops the wheels locking; ESP brakes single wheels to prevent a skid. | ABS does not always shorten braking distance; on snow or gravel it can be longer. | Adapt your speed to the road surface. |
What the CBR looks for
- Know what is in your car: check before you drive which systems affect the driving, and how they work.
- Keep sensors and cameras clean, and act when a system behaves oddly.
- Set systems up deliberately, so they support good driving. Never lean on an emergency system.
- Stay an active driver, ready to take over at any moment, and aware that a system can make you drive less carefully than you should.
Since 2024 the EU General Safety Regulation (Regulation 2019/2144) has made a range of these systems compulsory on all new cars sold in the EU, so you will meet them in almost every lesson car.
The exam trap: an answer that lets the system decide, such as changing lanes because the blind spot light is off. The system assists; you check.
The exam itself: CBR theory exam: questions, pass mark and time. The moving questions: CBR animation questions and hazard perception.
Frequently asked questions
What changed for driver assistance systems on the CBR exam?
Since 1 oktober 2026 the car theory exam asks more about driver assistance systems, with the focus on how you drive while a system is switched on. The exam stays 50 questions with 44 needed to pass.
Is there extra material to learn for the ADAS questions?
The CBR announced no extra study material. The questions are about behaviour: what you do while a system is on, and where the system stops working.
Does a driver assistance system take over responsibility?
No. No system in an ordinary car drives on its own. You stay responsible for your speed, your distance and what you see. That is the rule behind almost every ADAS question.
Do I still need to look over my shoulder with blind spot detection?
Yes. The system warns you, but it does not always see a fast motorcyclist or a cyclist. Mirrors and a shoulder check stay part of every lane change.
Does this also apply to the motorcycle or moped exam?
No. The extension of 1 oktober 2026 applies to the car theory exam.
Sources, checked on 3 November 2026:
- Staatscourant 2025, 40398: Regeling eisen theorie-examen rijbewijscategorie B
- Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 (General Safety Regulation)
- CBR: Hoe gaat het theorie-examen auto?
Written by Nawfal Serraji, traffic law specialist and founder of HaalTheorie.