Over 70s driving tests

[A Place of Light]

Originally Posted by Rich_L

There's an interesting balance I always think - it suits the country to have a flexible, mobile workforce and also to have mobile OAPs etc as it's less of a burden. The driving test could be made much more difficult, but then a corresponding %age of people would be less mobile, less able to travel to get work, more reliant on public transport etc.

So I think generally the number of accidents which could be avoided by a stricter test, compulsory re-testing etc, is probably considered a reasonable price for enabling a larger proportion of the population with additional mobility and flexibility. Or maybe that's just me being cynical

The driving test hasn't changed in decades, apart from the addition of the emergency stop and IIRC the 3 point turn. Yes, the highway code has of course, and the way it's conducted has (spliting into practical and theory) but the actual test on operating the vehicle is pretty much the same as it was for your parents and probably for their parents too?

I think that everyone who passes should be forced to display a marker showing that they have had no motorway instruction. This means that people who live near motorways could have extra lessons to add this entitlement and those who live many miles away from the motorway network wouldn't have a needless test (and set of costs) forced upon them.

[Jhadur]

Originally Posted by A Place of Light

The driving test hasn't changed in decades, apart from the addition of the emergency stop and IIRC the 3 point turn. Yes, the highway code has of course, and the way it's conducted has (spliting into practical and theory) but the actual test on operating the vehicle is pretty much the same as it was for your parents and probably for their parents too?

Parallel parking was added to the test after the 3 point turn and E Stop.

[A Place of Light]

Originally Posted by Jhadur

Parallel parking was added to the test after the 3 point turn and E Stop.

Forgot that one, but you take my point.
The test is pitifully easy. It covers only the most basic aspects of driving.
Some people slip through the net, unfortunately this net is only a one-time oppertunity to weed out the less than able so a periodic re-evaluation would be an ideal solution.

[Feek]

Originally Posted by A Place of Light

The test is pitifully easy. It covers only the most basic aspects of driving.

If that's the case, how come less than 50% of people pass? Badly prepared, not ready, or is it perhaps a bit harder now than you remember?

Tolworth Overall success rate 2005 / 2006 43.85%
Isleworth Overall success rate 2005 / 2006 42.73%
Morden Overall success rate 2005 / 2006 49.06%
Sutton (Surrey) Overall success rate 2005 / 2006 43.70%

[A Place of Light]

Originally Posted by Feek

If that's the case, how come less than 50% of people pass? Badly prepared, not ready, or is it perhaps a bit harder now than you remember?

No, it's because it amounts to less than a single hours driving which doesn't even cover things like motorways. Less than 50% of people pass because the sample pool is huge, and a significant number of applicants do not have the basic skills to drive. The test, IMHO should be made up of several one hour sessions as suggesting that a candidate will encounter even a fraction of the possible scenarios they WILL come up against in their motoring career is silly at best. You should also be asked questions on ALL of the highway code rather than have the current lottery system whereby you could theoretically learn part of it and pass if the questions matched your knowledge. Some learners only partially learn the highway code, and this is unacceptable IMHO.
Every driver who passes should be a confident and able motorist, if not immediately then soon after. This is clearly not the case.

If the test isn't so easy then I imagine it's rare that you encounter any incompetance while on the road?

[Glaucus]

I think it's a good idea, it is not a driving test it is the theory test and a medical. However it would be good if everyone had to do that say every 5-10 years. But then it depends how much the tests was.

Theory would cost the same perhaps it could include some sort of reaction time and a eye test would cover the biggest medical problem.

It should also say on your license if you need glasses to make it easy for cops. At the moment I don't think it does?

I oppose a full driving retest. Inherently expensive and time consuming.

[AboveTheSalt]

Originally Posted by AcidHell2

I think it's a good idea, it is not a driving test it is the theory test and a medical. However it would be good if everyone had to do that say every 5-10 years. But then it depends how much the tests was.

Retesting everyone every five years sounds like a very good idea - particularly for driving examiners.

Originally Posted by AcidHell2

It should also say on your license if you need glasses to make it easy for cops. At the moment I don't think it does?

Do you carry your driving license on you? Mine lives at home in a drawer in the kitchen . . . I think . . .

[Glaucus]

Originally Posted by AboveTheSalt

Do you carry your driving license on you? Mine lives at home in a drawer in the kitchen . . . I think . . .

Yep, photo card id. If you don;t carry it what id do you carry? Find it useful. Hardly ever need it but when you need id it's great.

[A Place of Light]

Originally Posted by AboveTheSalt

Do you carry your driving license on you? Mine lives at home in a drawer in the kitchen . . . I think . . .

Card in my wallet, paper counterpart at home.

[Toby]

Originally Posted by A Place of Light

Not a retest, just a re-assessment.

I actually think it should be a full re-test, but every ten years rather than five.

I don't see a downside to it tbh. Yes it would place additional strain on the test centre network but that would just force them to open more centres and create more jobs.

Basically I think your licence should last for ten years but you'd be permitted to renew it from the start of the tenth year (i.e. nine years from taking the previous test). You have a window of one year in which to pass your test. If you've not managed this by the time the ten years are up, you lose your licence.

A criticism I often hear of such a scheme is that many people who depend on their cars will be forced off the roads. Well if you can't be bothered or aren't capable of passing a test within a year then you shouldn't be on the road in the first place.