Autopilot and driver assistance can reduce workload, but the driver is always responsible. This guide explains the automation levels available in passenger cars, how to stay in control and common limitations.
Automation levels
| SAE level | What the system does | Driver role |
|---|---|---|
| Level 0 | Warnings only, such as Blind spot monitoring | Full control at all times |
| Level 1 | Assistance on one axis, e.g. Adaptive cruise control or lane warning | Hands on the wheel and foot ready |
| Level 2 | Combined speed and lane control (often branded autopilot) | Continuous supervision and immediate takeover |
Norwegian class B vehicles currently offer levels 0–2 only. The driver remains legally responsible.
Driver responsibility
- Keep eyes on the road and monitor the instrument cluster
- Maintain hands on the wheel; most systems check for gentle steering input
- Be ready to take over in poor weather, unclear markings or complex junctions
- Disable assistance in Winter convoy driving or when sensors are blocked
- Log malfunctions with time and conditions for workshop follow-up
Key systems and limitations
| System | Strengths | Typical limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptive cruise control | Smooth following distance control | May miss stationary hazards in glare or heavy rain |
| Lane keeping assist | Helps centre the vehicle in the lane | Misreads worn or snow-covered lines |
| Automatic emergency braking | Reacts quickly to imminent collisions | Can trigger on reflections or low objects |
| Automatic high beam | Improves visibility without dazzle, see Automatic high beam | Misinterprets fog, hills and city lighting |
Read more about human-tech interaction in Humans in traffic.
Checklist before activation
- Clean camera, radar and windscreen – see Cleaning sensors and cameras.
- Confirm the instrument panel shows green status icons for the functions you need.
- Review the route and weather forecast; combine with Night driving when driving after dark.
- Put the phone in do-not-disturb mode and brief passengers that you stay focused.
- Decide your takeover criteria: when will you switch back to manual control?
Scenarios you must handle yourself
| Scenario | Risk | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Urban traffic with vulnerable road users | System may miss pedestrians or cyclists | Take manual control and use mirror routines |
| Tunnels and steep crests | Sensors can lose targets or misjudge distance | Deactivate before entry and drive manually |
| Snow, slush and dirty wheel arches | Sensors are blocked and raise false alerts | Clean and drive without assistance until clear |
| Roadworks and temporary markings | System follows removed lines | Follow temporary signs and override actively |
Combine technology with good habits
- Use the risk assessment method from Risk assessment in practice to decide if assistance fits the situation.
- Maintain steady eye scanning as trained in Reaction, attention and total time.
- Debrief the trip: where did you intervene, and what will you adjust next time?