There are growing safety concerns over modern car controls, prompting one car expert to request a specific dashboard change to avoid danger and harm on New Zealand roads

Drivers climbing into a brand-new car aren't alone in feeling like they may need a pilot's licence rather than a driver's licence.

The modern car has undergone a dramatic transformation in just a few short years.

Buttons have disappeared, touchscreens have grown dramatically, gear selectors have moved, and indicators have changed.

And for some drivers, what was once second nature is becoming a source of confusion, says Ben Zachariah, the road test editor for Car Expert, an Australian site which recently launched in New Zealand.