Driving tests

[Traceyyy]

Is it true that the government have upped the age for taking your driving test to 18 years old now only i planned to pay for driving lessons for my son in Feb when he turns 17 ?

[boognish76]

No - unfortunately it isn't true. While the idea of raising the driving age to 18, in line with most other European countries, has been raised many times before, successive governments have always ruled it out. However, this time the DETR are stating that it is considering the idea of a requirement for new drivers to hold a provisional licence for a fixed period before they can take a driving test.

Personally I think it would be a better idea if new drivers couldn't buy a car with an engine of 1000c or more until they've had a full licence for a couple of years.

[Traceyyy]

Thanks for the reply boognish, pity you had to use the word 'unfortunately' i'm not planning to hand him a loaded weapon just helping him learn some independence, i'm aware that the driving examiners pet hate is an over-zealous 17 yr old lad out to impress and i understand that, but i still think its a good birthday present for my son

[boognish76]

Actually, you ARE handing your son a loaded weapon. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that the majority of accidents on the road involve drivers under 21. Why don't you buy him a bus pass or a rail card - then he can enjoy independence without the problems, and costs that cars bring with them.

[Traceyyy]

so you don't drive then boognish or if you do you didn't start till you were a mature adult ? And as you know nothing about my son or the way he's been raised i'd rather you witheld judgement on him and didn't tar him with the same brush as joyriders and the like

[boognish76]

Yes, I do drive, and no, I didn't start until I was over 21. And I've never had an accident. I haven't passed any judgement on your son or his upbringing - you don't have to be reckless or badly brought up to have a momentary lack of judgement on the road. All I've done is provided you an answer to your question and offered some positive alternatives. I don't think a 17 year old needs to drive and I'm perfectly entitled to express that opinion even though you might not agree with it.

[rut]

Perhaps when Boognish has a son between the ages f 17 and 21 who she has to drive everywhere, she'll change her mind!

[boognish76]

lol rut! In the unlikely event that I should ever find myself with a teenaged son, he can bloody well get on a bus, like I did when I was young!

[GeordieSteve]

Can I say that i've seen lots of very VERY bad older drivers with plenty of experience. So much time behind the wheel has made them sloppy and over confident.

[Gef]

"The vast majority of accidents involve drivers under 21". Surely this is stating the obvious - these are the most inexperienced drivers! Raise the age limit to say 21 and then it will be the 21 to 25 age group that has most accidents. We all have to learn by our mistakes and luckily, for most of us, the consequences are not too serious. Like another responder, I'm not defending the small minority of "boy (and girl) racers" out there but there are lots of so called "experienced" drivers who just haven't got a clue.