Compulsory Re-Test
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,627
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From: Herts
Agree with Nick tbh.
At the moment, any "retest" (for the sake of this we'll say for over a certain age) would simply serve to ensure that those over said age could drive as selfishly and with as little forward planning / ability to cope with anything other than directly-over-head sunshine as new drivers.
Lets get new drivers, regardless of age, to drive to a worthwhile standard that is actually learning to *drive* and not just to pass a driving test. Two entirely different things.
Ten years ago my driving instructor told me every lesson that he was teaching me to pass the driving test, and not to drive.
Those apects coupled with:
- Spikes on steering wheels pointing at the drivers chest
- Designate the closest lane to an incident on both carriageways to rubberneckers. Those who have better things to do can use the other two lanes. Anybody caught driving at under 65mph, or looking over at the accident scene whilst using the "non-rubberneck" lanes are then gunned down by snipers; at the next service station (we don't want to clog up the non-necking lanes, now)
- Sensors in the edge of doors attached to solenoid actuators. You open your door and clout it into the car next to you, the door slams and takes out the ends of your fingers
-Pop-up ramps in the middle / outside lane of motorways. If you are deemed to be "hogging" said lanes, the ramp pops up and catapaults you onto the hard shoulder. A monitor on the dash flashes up "WHAT DID YOU LEARN?!"
At the moment, any "retest" (for the sake of this we'll say for over a certain age) would simply serve to ensure that those over said age could drive as selfishly and with as little forward planning / ability to cope with anything other than directly-over-head sunshine as new drivers.
Lets get new drivers, regardless of age, to drive to a worthwhile standard that is actually learning to *drive* and not just to pass a driving test. Two entirely different things.
Ten years ago my driving instructor told me every lesson that he was teaching me to pass the driving test, and not to drive.
Those apects coupled with:
- Spikes on steering wheels pointing at the drivers chest
- Designate the closest lane to an incident on both carriageways to rubberneckers. Those who have better things to do can use the other two lanes. Anybody caught driving at under 65mph, or looking over at the accident scene whilst using the "non-rubberneck" lanes are then gunned down by snipers; at the next service station (we don't want to clog up the non-necking lanes, now)
- Sensors in the edge of doors attached to solenoid actuators. You open your door and clout it into the car next to you, the door slams and takes out the ends of your fingers
-Pop-up ramps in the middle / outside lane of motorways. If you are deemed to be "hogging" said lanes, the ramp pops up and catapaults you onto the hard shoulder. A monitor on the dash flashes up "WHAT DID YOU LEARN?!"
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: South Ozzie!!
Keith2.2 for transport minister!!!
I reckon no matter what age there should be regular checks for drivers, there are lots of people not just old people that drive whilst medically unfit and lots of just plain bad driving and inconsiderate driving.
I reckon no matter what age there should be regular checks for drivers, there are lots of people not just old people that drive whilst medically unfit and lots of just plain bad driving and inconsiderate driving.
Former Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 24,771
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From: Stanmore
Trouble is, you can test all you want, but in the end it comes down to driver attitude, which is much more difficult to change.
Most people are overconfident of their abilities (me included, probably).
Lots of people drive far too fast (me included, probably).
A lot of people are very scared of driving.
Everyone knows not to use their phone handheld when driving, but an awful lot of people do it.
There are those who moan about having to check their speedo all the time instead of watching the road. WTF?
Everyone is taught to use indicators - so many don't bother.
Essentially, driving is a means of getting from A to B, not something that they try to do well.
Most people are overconfident of their abilities (me included, probably).
Lots of people drive far too fast (me included, probably).
A lot of people are very scared of driving.
Everyone knows not to use their phone handheld when driving, but an awful lot of people do it.
There are those who moan about having to check their speedo all the time instead of watching the road. WTF?
Everyone is taught to use indicators - so many don't bother.
Essentially, driving is a means of getting from A to B, not something that they try to do well.
Registered User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,613
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From: UK
I'm certainly in favour of regular checks. It's almost 30 years since I passed my test 
As an aside, I wonder how many of us have read the latest version of the Highway Code (2007) or indeed any version since they took their test?
As it happens I have as I did a bit of advanced motorcycle stuff, but in all honesty I doubt I would have otherwise.
As an aside, I wonder how many of us have read the latest version of the Highway Code (2007) or indeed any version since they took their test?
As it happens I have as I did a bit of advanced motorcycle stuff, but in all honesty I doubt I would have otherwise.
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,690
Likes: 76
From: Guildford
There should be a 2 stage test.
Part 1 - basic competency test, along similar lines as the one now. Then for 12 months restricted to a low power car (I'm sure other countries do this)
Part 2 - assessment after 1 year and if the driver is not comptent enough to drive the licence is revoked. This would include motorway driving.
Part 1 - basic competency test, along similar lines as the one now. Then for 12 months restricted to a low power car (I'm sure other countries do this)
Part 2 - assessment after 1 year and if the driver is not comptent enough to drive the licence is revoked. This would include motorway driving.
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 9,022
Likes: 1
From: There's no i in toast!
Yes there should be a re-test every 5-10 years for everyone who holds a valid driving license. And instead of getting them to pass that nonsense driving test, put in place a more real World test.
I do think that the whole system of learning to drive needs to be shaken up. I have a few ideas of what they could do.
- Raise the driving age to 21 from 17 (this won't be popular
)
- First time drivers are only allowed to drive on a closed circuit of roads/junctions at the test centre until they are safe enough to drive on the public highway
- Only qualified driving instructors can teach people to drive, not your Mum or Dad.
- Night time driving lessons.
- Motorway driving lessons.
- Skid pan training.
- Emergency stop from 70mph (in both dry and wet conditions).
- Lessons in a classroom on the highway code followed by a theory test
- Introduce a real World driving test which restricts new drivers to a low bhp car for the first two years.
- Retest every 5-10 years.
Know doubt most of these ideas would go down like a lead balloon, but personally I think they'd make it far more interesting to learn to drive and help to in-bed better driving standards from an early age, which coupled with the re-test should help to improve driving standards.
I do think that the whole system of learning to drive needs to be shaken up. I have a few ideas of what they could do.
- Raise the driving age to 21 from 17 (this won't be popular
)- First time drivers are only allowed to drive on a closed circuit of roads/junctions at the test centre until they are safe enough to drive on the public highway
- Only qualified driving instructors can teach people to drive, not your Mum or Dad.
- Night time driving lessons.
- Motorway driving lessons.
- Skid pan training.
- Emergency stop from 70mph (in both dry and wet conditions).
- Lessons in a classroom on the highway code followed by a theory test
- Introduce a real World driving test which restricts new drivers to a low bhp car for the first two years.
- Retest every 5-10 years.
Know doubt most of these ideas would go down like a lead balloon, but personally I think they'd make it far more interesting to learn to drive and help to in-bed better driving standards from an early age, which coupled with the re-test should help to improve driving standards.
Registered User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 683
Likes: 2
From: Plymouth
Re-testing every 5-10 years would just serve to line the pockets of our Government with even more money from the motorist.
There should be re-testing at the age of 65.
There should be an eye-sight test every 10 years.
I'd also lower the residential speed limit to 20 MPH, raise motorway limit to 90 and also ditch bus lanes, replacing them with a minimum BHP per tonne lane instead.
There should be re-testing at the age of 65.
There should be an eye-sight test every 10 years.
I'd also lower the residential speed limit to 20 MPH, raise motorway limit to 90 and also ditch bus lanes, replacing them with a minimum BHP per tonne lane instead.
Former Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 24,771
Likes: 311
From: Stanmore
Some interesting proposals about young drivers made yesterday
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/8...me-driving.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/8...me-driving.html
They claimed that banning newly qualified motorists from the road at night-time would save 200 lives a year and result in 1,700 fewer injuries, research suggests.
However, motoring organisations said a ban, which exists in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and parts of the United States, would be difficult to enforce.
Researchers from Cardiff University said they backed the introduction of Graduated Licensing (GDL) for those aged 17 to 24 for up to two years after passing their driving tests.
One in five new motorists crashes within six months of passing their driving test and the researchers said many accidents could be prevented and costs to the NHS reduced by GDL.
However, motoring organisations said a ban, which exists in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and parts of the United States, would be difficult to enforce.
Researchers from Cardiff University said they backed the introduction of Graduated Licensing (GDL) for those aged 17 to 24 for up to two years after passing their driving tests.
One in five new motorists crashes within six months of passing their driving test and the researchers said many accidents could be prevented and costs to the NHS reduced by GDL.
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 9,022
Likes: 1
From: There's no i in toast!
Originally Posted by cheggers,Sep 21 2010, 01:00 PM
Re-testing every 5-10 years would just serve to line the pockets of our Government with even more money from the motorist.
There should be re-testing at the age of 65.
There should be an eye-sight test every 10 years.
I'd also lower the residential speed limit to 20 MPH, raise motorway limit to 90 and also ditch bus lanes, replacing them with a minimum BHP per tonne lane instead.
There should be re-testing at the age of 65.
There should be an eye-sight test every 10 years.
I'd also lower the residential speed limit to 20 MPH, raise motorway limit to 90 and also ditch bus lanes, replacing them with a minimum BHP per tonne lane instead.
Just no on every single level. Lowering speed limits does nothing to reduce accidents and only frustrates motorists even more. Some of us would still like to make good progress on our journey
However you do make an excellent point about eye tests every ten years. That is an excellent idea.