ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) have become indispensable in modern cars. Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, and Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) promise increased safety and comfort. In practice, many drivers are unsure about what their car can and cannot do.

Driving School Pro spoke with Jos van Kleef, chairman of the ADAS Alliance. ADAS will soon be included in the theory exam for passenger cars, effective April 1st. This development aligns with the ADAs Alliance's efforts to raise awareness of ADAS. The CBR (Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing) is a member of the alliance.

Van Kleef is well-versed in the mobility world. He previously served as CEO of Goudappel and director of Vialis, among other positions, and has been the independent chairman of the ADAS Alliance since 2025. "This topic touches on behavior, technology, infrastructure, and policy," he says. "That makes it complex, but also urgent." The alliance's annual ADAS monitor shows that many drivers lack sufficient insight into the driver assistance systems in their vehicles.

"A significant number simply don't know what's on the car, or what systems can and can't do," says Van Kleef. "These are driver assistance systems – you, as the driver, always remain responsible for controlling the vehicle." 

This lack of knowledge can lead to misunderstandings. Lane Keeping Assist, for example, doesn't work well when road markings are difficult to see, such as in snow or faded lane markings. "The systems have limitations. They support the driver, but they don't replace them." 

ADAS in the theory exam 

ADAS requires more conscious knowledge, even among new drivers. To structurally increase this knowledge level, ADAS will be incorporated into the CBR theory exam. The questions are currently being developed in collaboration with experts from the ADAS Alliance.

"Creating exam questions is a skill in itself," says Van Kleef. "The CBR handles it with great professionalism. Through the alliance, we provide knowledge and try to clarify what drivers absolutely need to know."

This primarily involves basic knowledge: what systems do, when they work well and when they don't, and what remains the driver's responsibility. The alliance also aims to help describe systems more uniformly. Car manufacturers often use different names for similar functions. It is helpful to ADAS dictionary.

Role for driving instructors 

According to Van Kleef, there is also a role for driving instructors. 

Driving instructors can make a significant contribution to knowledge and awareness. Especially now that ADAS is being included in the theory exam, it makes sense that the training also addresses the use of these systems, for example, when road markings are unclear. 

Foundation for the future 

Ultimately, Van Kleef sees ADAS as a step towards further automation of vehicles. 

We're currently at level 2, where systems provide support, but the driver remains responsible. The step to level 3—where the car drives itself under certain conditions—is much more legally and socially complex. 

That is precisely why, according to him, it is important that drivers already understand how driver assistance systems work. 

Awareness is key. If people know what their car can and can't do, ADAS can truly contribute to greater road safety. 

About the ADAS Alliance 

The ADAS Alliance was founded in 2019 and is a collaboration between the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, ANWB, RAI Association, BOVAG, RDW, the Dutch Association of Insurers, and the Association of Dutch Car Leasing Companies. 

The aim is to improve the safe use of driver assistance systems and thus reduce road casualties. 

Since 2025, Jos van Kleef has been at the helm as independent chairman. In the coming period, the alliance will focus on four specific priorities: 

• ADAS in the theory exam 
• better explanation upon delivery of vehicles 
• attention to user experiences, for example around ISA 
• a central information point about driver assistance systems 

"There's still plenty of work to be done," says Van Kleef. "But every step that contributes to greater driver knowledge ultimately improves road safety." 

Read the original article on RijschoolPro here.