Driving tests every 5 years

[Kathyan]

Does anyone think that this will prevent accidents or is it just another way for the Government to make money from the motorists?

[Paul22118]

If the government of the day was to introduce proper re-tests for all licence holders every fve years, I am convinced the accident / offence rate would fall.

The standard of driving in the UK is pretty grim. We can all think of people who should not be behind the wheel, that's how it is.

[Lonnie]

I think its an excellent idea, i'm a train driver, a bit different, I know, but we have tests every year, because of this, we make an effort to keep our skills and knowledge up to date, whereas, after passage of time, you do tend to forget certain things.

[ludwig]

Most of the people who drive dangerously do so through choice and won't have any trouble behaving themselves for an hour in order to pass a test.
It's just another way to make money from motorists.

[WoWo]

I think ludwig is correct, the driving test itself is a little artificial, I'm sure there are plenty of bad drivers who passed the test and plenty of good ones who haven't due to nerves etc. I think most of the people we would rather keep off the roads could hold it together for an hour or so without much trouble.

Having said that after any driving conviction, even speeding, a retest should be taken.

I think every 10 years might be a better target.

[kick3m0n]

I think it's a great idea that would cut the number of accidents. I disagree with Ludwig, as I think the majority of bad motorists develop a habit of driving badly and with little care, and therefore would struggle to revert to the correct way in order to pass a test.

[flip-flop]

Generally, we are in fact very good drivers in the UK - you only have to visit any other European country for proof, plus I think I'm correct in that we have one of the lowest per-capita death rates in the world.

However, I do think a re-test would be in order every five years or so because, despite the above, I am concerned about the standard of driving exhibited by many old people (yes, before anybody says it, I know there are also good old drivers and poor young drivers as well) as they do not appear to be in proper control of their cars and have no awareness of what is going on around them - as soon as I see a Nissan/Volvo/Proton/Daewoo where the driver has a hat on, I avoid them like the plague.

I'd also like to see the driving age raised to 21, particularly for young men - young men, generally, do not have the maturity to be in charge of a car.

So, yes, I'd be happy to part with money once every five years to be re-tested.

One thought occurs to me......what would happen if somebody failed? Would they have their licence taken away from them? What if they drive a van for a living?

[Drusilla]

Having lived in France and travelled extensively around the world, I can honestly say British drivers are among the best I have seen and think this idea is yet another money making scheme.

I do believe people over seventy should have to undergo a medical and simpler form of test every year to ensure their eyesight, reflexes and road knowledge are up to scratch.

[WoWo]

"One thought occurs to me......what would happen if somebody failed? Would they have their licence taken away from them? What if they drive a van for a living?"

I think the best thing to do would be to have a nominal fee of say �20 for a retest, if you pass fine but if you don't the fee goes up to �50.

If they drive a van for a living it would be in their best interests to be a good driver. I'm sure it could be done in such a way so that the test could be taken in advance so that people don't have to stop driving for a period.

[madein1978]

I also think 10 years would be better, we need something to get the total nutters who can't drive off the roads, I'm surprised there isn't more carnage than there is! The attitude of some people on the road absolutely sucks! Maybe they want to tighten up on the test and make it really tough and up the age to 21, the 17 year olds nowadays are barely mature enough to be let loose with a pedal bike let alone a car!

[madein1978]

It would be a good idea as well to issue an automatic retest after a serious accident once liability has been established, if they fail they should be banned for 2 years. Its a good idea, but it will be no doubt be executed in a draconian manner as only new labour know how!!

[DMA]

Put the age limit for driving up to 21. Put an upper age limit of 70. This would mean less cars on the road and get rid of the boy racers and those who dither coz they are old (no offence to the old people).