should we retake a Driving test every 5 years?

Question

The standard of driving in this country is getting worse. We all think we are good drivers. should we retake a driving assessment every so often?

Answer 1

I do not think we should retake the test...

For a start it would be a crooked system. SO many people rely on their cars for a living...I could see some instructors and assesors being tempted by desperate people throwing a lot of money at them. Having a friend who works for a driving school I already know such offers do happen from people that are in a hurry to pass or regain thier license...

Secondly I don't think it would make anyone's driving any better.

I think a better idea would be a refresher course. Where they can't take your license....but insurance companies will make you pay more if you don't tkae the course or if you fail.

Answer 2

I think it's a sheer waste of time and money for everyone to
retake a driving test every 5 years. From the statistics of
car drivers in the country, about 10% of the licensed drivers
are bad and hard-core offenders. The majority of drivers are
considerate, careful and law-abiding ones.
Thus, I would suggest practically to penalise those drivers who
are caught twice by the police or road transport officers as bad and hard-core offenders to retake a driving test within 3 months before they are allowed to drive on the road again.
In this way, the standard of driving in the country will improve
further automatically.

Answer 3

It's an absurd idea.

If people can't drive better, after years of experience, than someone who can just about pass a test, then there is no hope.

If accident-prone drivers were required to undergo assessment, which could be introduced by insurance companies, then that might have a more beneficial effect.

As for the ageist arguments that people should not drive beyond the age of 70, they have little relevance as a road-safety issue.

In fact, I knew a gentleman who used to race an old Bugatti when he was well into his 80's, and he certainly wasn't slow!

I would suggest that the only big safety issue, is that concerned with eye-sight, which is know to degenerate as we get older.

How many virtually-blind drivers are there on the roads?

The answer would alarm anyone!

Answer 4

When you read some of the questions and answers here, yes, I believe a refresher course would be a good idea. Like the question about pedestrians having the right away in a crosswalk. If this person had went thru a refresher course, they would have known the answer. And to the ones who believe it should be only for the "Old People". There are just as many young bad driver, who believe they wont ever be in an accident, that are far worse behind the wheel. Or the ones who believe they are "The Perfect Driver". Someone with to much confidence in their driving abilities, are far more dangerous behind the wheel, taking to many risk.

Answer 5

I think 5 years is too often, I doubt any great change in one person's driving skill will occur that fast, maybe 10 or 15 years. Plus do we really need to waste more of our time going to the DMV, its bad enough as it is. I don't think the standard is getting worse, only the people who are driving are worse. I admit that it is mainly the younger teenagers who tend to be the bad drivers and that more mature people are better drivers. The young tend to fancy too much with technology, music, maybe even satellite navigation, but most importantly cellphones. I was driving on the freeway a few days ago, during rush hour, and the driver behind me was a probably middle aged woman. I thought that she was a pretty good drive, she knew how to kept a distance, didn't speed or slow down badly, she was pretty good. Only thing was that she couldn't resist using her cellphone, then she started to not pay attention as much and wasn't as good at driving before.

Answer 6

I think it's a good iodea but 5 years is too often - that really is a short time. Maybe every 15 years wouldn't be a bad idea. You're right about the driving standard - there are so many idiots on the road these days but I'm not sure it's their driving standard - I think it's just because there are a lot of idiots around generally.

Answer 7

Set up a driving standard course with IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists ) - every 10 years just to freshen up the ideas of the more mature driver. Enhanced car insurance rates as a consequence - and initiate a little courtesy into the driving habots of the general public.

Answer 8

What good would it do?You obviously have to kill the the person grading you now to fail the test the first time.
People take drivers ed and the last thing they're prepared to do when they finish is drive.Someone should have a school to teach people how to drive in the real world.
Peoples licenses should also be taken away for doing stupid things.First,outlaw cell phones while driving.Don't argue about this.You'll just show your ignorance.People DO NOT pay attention to the road when they're talking on the phone,PERIOD!!!Second,women put your damn make-up on at home or not at all.For most of you it doesn't help anyways.Third,stop eating while you drive.If you have to eat while your driving,you might want to take a look in the mirror.Fat people stuffing their faces at the wheel is very unattractive.

Answer 9

Are you Mad?
You expect me to sober up long enough to take a test?

In response to the person who targetted old people, in principal I agree that after a certain age some tests of physical capability/dexterity could be useful, but think on this:

My daughter is 25 years old. She took and passed her test when she was 17, but has never been behind the wheel of a car since. Who would you trust on the road more, her or the seventy year old dude who's been driving his whole life?

Answer 10

i think you should def be made to take your test again if you're over 55!! there are so many elderly people that cause accidents by either going too slowly or not being able to follow the road rules!! ALSO, i think the test should be a little harder. some people are so scared of driving i don't know why they bothered in the first place. either have confidence and learn properly or use public transport!!!

i get so annoyed at rubbish driving - naturally i am brilliant!! xx