IMI Urges Compulsory ADAS Training for Mechanics

Greg Hyde

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7th November 2018

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has called for training on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to be made compulsory for automotive technicians.

The UK body is arguing that, as ADAS systems are becoming increasingly commonplace, technicians must be able to ensure they “are fully calibrated” before the vehicles they are working on return to the road. To this end, it is launching its own IMI ADAS Accreditation, a qualification it claims will ensure technicians have the knowledge needed “to work with ADAS features in vehicles”.

The IMI collaborated with Belron, Thatcham Research, Nationwide Accident Repair Services (NARS), and Auto Industry Consulting (AIC) on development of the qualification. It cites data from Euro NCAP predicting 40% of cars on UK roads will feature ADAS tech by 2020 as evidence of the Accreditation’s necessity.

IMI CEO Steve Nash said: “It’s predicted that between 2014 and 2030, ADAS technology will save more than 2,500 lives and prevent in excess of 25,000 serious accidents. But it will only work if it is accurately calibrated at all times … we are therefore urging motor retailers and garages to invest in continuous training to make sure their technicians are equipped with the right skills to be able to handle this new and rapidly evolving technology”.

NARS technical training manager Chris McGowan claimed the IMI’s qualification would allow automotive technicians to “prove [their] competency on fitting a component and a safe reset of the machine”.