Driving Tests, re-taking at regular intervals?

PermaChanged · 20 May 2010 at 15:37

Just trying to get a feel for what peoples opinions are regarding driving tests and how long a license should last.

I'm a firm believer that once you reach a certain age, say 60+, you should be made to re-take your driving test at regular intervals, biennial perhaps.

The amount of times people of the older generation are holding up traffic, driving in the middle of the road, bumping in to things or generally just being a nuisance on the road is starting to really get under my skin and I believe it should be compulsory to re-take your test when you reach 60.

However, since I've passed my test my driving style has changed a lot and I believe I would fail my driving test if I was to take it today, due to lack of use of mirrors and all the quadruple checking you need to do, should we all be made to have our test retaken regularly to keep our licenses?

What are your views on how often people should have to pass their driving tests to have their license extended?

Dave M · 20 May 2010 at 15:45

Rusty_Noob said:
I'm a firm believer that once you reach a certain age, say 60+, you should be made to re-take your driving test at regular intervals, bi-anually perhaps.

The amount of times people of the older generation are holding up traffic, driving in the middle of the road, bumping in to things or generally just being a nuisance on the road is starting to really get under my skin and I believe it should be compulsory to re-take your test when you reach 60.

Bi-Annually? Loving your empathy here - I'm guessing you aren't so keen on a minimum 100 hours of professional tuition for new drivers before they take their test? I think it's a joke that you can get a license without ever having driven in the dark or wet. A skin pan course would be a riot too

I think anyone caught driving badly should go on a course (like the ones speeders get offered) but mandatory re-testing is just another example of an industry being created from over zealous regulation.

chriscpritchard · 20 May 2010 at 15:46

Rusty_Noob said:
Just trying to get a feel for what peoples opinions are regarding driving tests and how long a license should last.

I'm a firm believer that once you reach a certain age, say 60+, you should be made to re-take your driving test at regular intervals, bi-anually perhaps.

The amount of times people of the older generation are holding up traffic, driving in the middle of the road, bumping in to things or generally just being a nuisance on the road is starting to really get under my skin and I believe it should be compulsory to re-take your test when you reach 60.

However, since I've passed my test my driving style has changed a lot and I believe I would fail my driving test if I was to take it today, due to lack of use of mirrors and all the quadruple checking you need to do, should we all be made to have our test retaken regularly to keep our licenses?

What are your views on how often people should have to pass their driving tests to have their license extended?

The main issue is that there just wouldn't be enough staff to run the tests regularly, there's already a 1-2 month waiting list at most test centres, making people take retests would just increase that! I do feel that if you drive as part of your job then you should have to have tests regularly, but possibly internally, with checks done by the DSA randomly.

Cosimo · 20 May 2010 at 15:48

Rusty_Noob said:
The amount of times people of the older generation are holding up traffic, driving in the middle of the road, bumping in to things or generally just being a nuisance on the road is starting to really get under my skin and I believe it should be compulsory to re-take your test when you reach 60.

Of course you can tell a person's age by looking at them from your car can't you.

You've probably just described yourself and millions of other drivers, people like you get under my skin.

Sp00n · 20 May 2010 at 15:48

I don't know why you restrict it to jsut 60+ people, I see people of all ages and genders causing major problems on roads on a daily basis.

semi-pro waster · 20 May 2010 at 15:52

If you're going to implement re-tests for people who are 60+ (and it's not a bad idea necessarily) then why not also make it apply for all drivers irrespective of age e.g. you must take a re-test every 10 years or maybe even every 5, it's not going to prevent all bad drivers but I suspect it would weed out a significant number.

PermaChanged · 20 May 2010 at 15:56

simulatorman said:
Of course you can tell a person's age by looking at them from your car can't you.

You've probably just described yourself and millions of other drivers, people like you get under my skin.

I can't tell their age exactly but I'm pretty sure it would be classed as an educated guess, and by no means am I saying bad driving is exclusive to people of the older generation.

I did ask in my OP, do you believe everyone should be made to re-take a test? Perhaps every 10 years up to the age of 60, then every 5 years from then on?

It's a fact that reaction time, sight and hearing all deteriorate with age, all of which are required to be a safe driver.

ben90 · 20 May 2010 at 16:25

It does amaze me how older generation get to drive without a re test. I dont mean to be horrible, but there are too many times where one has pulled out at a roundabout because they didnt look, or their reactions are too slow.

Ofcourse, younger generation arent perfect either, but ive seen most bad driving from 60+

JayToukon · 20 May 2010 at 16:27

I agree to an extent...

My grandad is 66 and is still the best driver i have EVER known. He's driving long distance lorries since he was 19 and has more road awareness than anyone i've ever been in a vehicle with. In that time he's only ever had one crash, both truck and normal driving, when a young kid smashed into the back of his trailer. I think that just one test at 60 would be fair. Though they shouldn't be forced to abide to the 10 to 2 hand rules and constant mirror checks etc. Just general road use ability, spacial awareness, and more importantly their theory. Old people normally have zero care/knowledge of road signs and rules....

Semiskimmed · 20 May 2010 at 16:30

and these older people get cheaper insurance cover to boot

but yes it shoudl be so that youre retested or taken in for a medical or something once you reach a certain age. i dont think 60 is too bad either, just dont whack on a great big bill for it. motorists of any age dont need yet more things to pay silly amounts of cash for.

supermodder · 20 May 2010 at 17:46

You have to remember aswell a lot of the 'older' generation never had to take a test in the first place they were just given a licence. I have this arguement all the time with people once most people hit 60+ there hearing, reaction time and sight has deteriorated. I saw an old man driving down the road the other day, he was veering from side to side both of his wing mirrors were folded back and he could barely see over the steering wheel. People were doing everything they could to get round him and he was totally oblivious, he sat doing 20 mph through 30 and 40 mph speed limits!
I think that they should have to take a re-test every 2yrs and if there gp or doctor has any reason to believe there health may have worsened they should report them to the dvla.

Van Hellseek · 20 May 2010 at 18:01

Completely for this. There should definately be some kind of re-testing in place.

Dolph · 20 May 2010 at 18:05

Getting rid of the speed kills campaign and enforcing more against careless, dangerous and just plain old bad driving would be much preferred in my eyes and likely much more successful.

DM · 20 May 2010 at 18:10

Rusty_Noob said:
Just trying to get a feel for what peoples opinions are regarding driving tests and how long a license should last.

I'm a firm believer that once you reach a certain age, say 60+, you should be made to re-take your driving test at regular intervals, bi-anually perhaps.

The amount of times people of the older generation are holding up traffic, driving in the middle of the road, bumping in to things or generally just being a nuisance on the road is starting to really get under my skin and I believe it should be compulsory to re-take your test when you reach 60.

However, since I've passed my test my driving style has changed a lot and I believe I would fail my driving test if I was to take it today, due to lack of use of mirrors and all the quadruple checking you need to do, should we all be made to have our test retaken regularly to keep our licenses?

What are your views on how often people should have to pass their driving tests to have their license extended?

I think they should leave it exactly as it is, and i wish there were another 20 people aged 60+ for every 20 year old i see driving like a ****.

supermodder · 20 May 2010 at 18:11

Old people never seem to have accidents themselves due to there slow constant speeds, yes they dent and scratch their cars trying to park but never seem to be in major accidents. I think this is because they cause the accidents and dont even realise, i have seen old people pull out of junctions before and cause the car that was travelling along the road they pulled out onto, to break and skid and then the vehicle behind them ends up rear ending.

shifty_uk · 20 May 2010 at 18:16

supermodder said:
Old people never seem to have accidents themselves due to there slow constant speeds, yes they dent and scratch their cars trying to park but never seem to be in major accidents. I think this is because they cause the accidents and dont even realise, i have seen old people pull out of junctions before and cause the car that was travelling along the road they pulled out onto, to break and skid and then the vehicle behind them ends up rear ending.

Old people and women are both on the same level with regards to these criticisms. I've had more near death experiences caused by careless women than I have oldies.

Nomisf · 20 May 2010 at 18:20

Whilst I think the current system may need some thought - I would just like to point out, in my opinion of course, if everyone drove to the letter, as you would in a test - there would be a whole lot more problems on the road. Driving is as much about experience and "feel" as it is about rules and regulations.

will_expert · 20 May 2010 at 18:20

maybe not every 6 months. most of my friends have taken their tests this year, including me, and i know loads of people who have had a perfect test but failed because of someone running across the road etc...it's down to luck i guess.

it doesn't seem right not being able to drive for a month because of another driver's mistake??

Sin_Chase · 20 May 2010 at 18:22

Friend in Serbia was telling me about what she needed to do to get licensed to drive (and keep it) and I remember thinking "Jesus, compared to there ours is like tripping over your own laces to pass"

I do not know if it is still the same (This was some years ago) nor can I remember the precise details but it was pretty full on.

I am ALL for more involved testing and would have loved the opportunity earlier on to experience more.

I've been driving 7 years, and I only spun a car last year when I took my S onto an airfield. I can categorically state that if I experienced a large over steer situation on the road before that airfield day I would be in a ditch/hedge/pole.

BIG slides and spins is something no amount of reading, games or thinking about can ever ever prepare you for.

As for re-testing, I dunno. It's a sensible idea but our testing would need to drastically change. The age old adage of "Now you've passed it's time to learn to drive" holds true and re-testing seems pointless. Quite frankly all of us who are enthusiastic about driving beyond getting from A to B would be pretty frustrated having to feed the wheel, gear change and generally drive as "expected" to pass a re-test at 60. It's just not going to happen.

marcus_667 · 20 May 2010 at 18:24

i had some old codger in a kia doing 35 mph in a national speed limit i raged and overtook him :confused: