Driving Test adaptions

[Lennon]

Following on from what people think about motorway speed limts, what would you change about the driving test? I think it should be compulsory to correctly change a wheel (I know all cars are different in that respect, but just for people to know the basics, as I know a lot of people who don't!) And I think when people turn say 60 or 65, they should re-sit the test if they want to carry on driving. What do you think?

[mikewall01]

Everyone over 60 should take a test every two years. All women should take a test every year.

[sddsddean]

I don't think it is really practical to re sit a test. It would be great if you were retested ever 10 years or so, but there is a 6 week waiting list for first time tests locally, so I think the logistics are against it. I think a medical would be a good idea. As an HGV driver (PSV drivers as well) I have to have a medical every 5 years (after the age of 45). At least this checks you are not blind or deaf!! As to what to do about the test; well it is just too short. Whilst you might be able to say someone can't drive in 30 mins, you can't go through every sort of hazard to check people can. For instance, my HGV test was 90 mins (so already 3 times as long as a car), but in that time I had to do 2 manouvering excercises, explain how to couple a trailer etc. This probably left about 50 - 60 mins actual driving. As our local HGV test centre is out in the sticks, it took about 20 mins to get to a town. Now driving in the country is easy, but driving around town is the tricky bit. So I was assessed on about 10 mins of town driving, which frankly isn't enough. Also, as I said in the earlier question, in Germany you have to do motorway and night driving. Of course this would be a pain for someone who lived in say, Inverness, where the nearest motorway is about 2 hours away. All in all, we just have to make the best of what we've got and I don't think there is the money or inclination to set up a safer/better system.

[cupra]

When you fail your fifth test, there should be a period of say, 2 years, before you can apply for another test. This isn't meant to penalise the learner, it should encourage them to take a test only when they are 100% ready for it (let's face it, if you fail a degree you don't get unlimited chances to pass - you have to retake the course!)

[rekstout]

I agree that a licence should expire - renewable by taking a short written test, eye testand medical - say every five years

P Plates should be mandatory for a period of at least one year and should result in a complete retest if a serious violation occurs during that time.

Like bikes - I think - we should also limit the permisible BHP of a car for drivers under 21

Motorway and night driving should be included as standard parts of the practical test as well.

[tonto]

firstly, why exactly should women re-take there test every year? that's to mikewall01. The learner test for cars should be an hour long, as already mentioned it would give them more of a variety of challenging situations to deal with.After they have passed it should be made compulsory to take on the pass plus course that's on offer which is aimed at the new driver to further develope there existing driving skills.I don't think they should be made to change a wheel, i think saftey when driving is more important.also i do agree that you should re-take your test after a certain age say, 65 onwards i've seen some atrocious driving from, the elderly especially flat caps and old dears.some are dangerous to society, not all of them are like that.