refresher training

[beetle bug]

Who else thinks all drivers should be made to undertake refresher training every few years? I'm not talking about having to retake your driving test, that would be rather unfair if you've done nothing wrong and could seriously affect your life if you failed, but so many drivers get their licence and then forget most of it, driving around like they own the road, and so many aspects of driving change as the years go by, I really do think it would improve road safety if refresher training was compulsory. With the introduction of the photocard licences a few years ago, that you have to renew every 10 years, it would be easy for the government/DSA/DVLA to withold the reissued licence until a few hours of training with a professional had been signed off.

[Ethel]

Good thinking - but it would be impossible.

There are millions of drivers in the UK - and the man hours needed for refresher training would swamp the system.

And there woud always be some 'professionals' willing to sign drivers off for a large backhander.

The current Driver Improvement Scheme works well.

[derekpara]

People who are interested in improving the driving, and that should mean everyone, should consider taking the Institute of Advanced Motorists test, or the RoSPA test. You learn a great deal and become a safer driver, and qualify for cheaper car insurance.

I've just passed the IAM test and would recommend the scheme to everyone.

[seatrout]

two very good answers. I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that the standard of driving in this country is appalling. I'm not just thinking about speeding but hogging the middle lane of motorways. My personal hate is the driver who stops in the outside lane at traffic lights then as they change indicates his intention to turn right - all the traffic on the inside lane then streams past while you are stuck behind him !

Incidently Ethel a lot of drivers refuse the improvement course and prefer to go to court I have it on good authority that a lot of people who do attend dont actually believe that their driving was at fault

[Toureman]

As derek says, if you think you are a good driver take the IAM or Rospa test, training is done at many centres aroun the uk.

http://www.iam.org.uk/

Have you done that beetle?