Driving Tests every 25 years?

Scrambledeggyegg · 2022-09-05T13:02:20+00:00

I’m learning to drive right now... I’m in my mid 30s. I think everyone should have to retake their driving test every 25 years. To both raise revenue and get higher standards of driving. I feel if you have nothing to improve then nothing to worry about. If you’re good enough to pass the test you deserve to drive on the road. If not, then buses for you.

herewego9 · 05/09/2022 14:08

The test centres can't even get through first timers so can't see how they'd have capacity to test everyone else.

Burnt0utMum · 05/09/2022 14:10

Because there aren't enough hurdles and costs for drivers already...

MomwasCasual · 05/09/2022 14:12

Maybe pass your first one before you start thinking about what the rest of us should do

WatermelonSugarSigh · 05/09/2022 14:18

MomwasCasual · 05/09/2022 14:12

Maybe pass your first one before you start thinking about what the rest of us should do

Indeed 😂

girlmom21 · 05/09/2022 14:21

You realise for most people that's only one re-test, right? Two at a push?

chipsandpeas · 05/09/2022 14:24

why do you think it would mean higher driving standards?
ive been driving 22 years and no doubt will have a lot of bad driving habits but i could probably pass my test again tomorrow and then go back to my own habits

VickyEadieofThigh · 05/09/2022 14:27

herewego9 · 05/09/2022 14:08

The test centres can't even get through first timers so can't see how they'd have capacity to test everyone else.

Exactly this! We've had threads recently with parents complaining their offpsring can't get test dates for months and months.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 05/09/2022 14:28

Hypothetically, if you lived somewhere with really poor public transport or used your car for work and so had built your life/career around using your car etc, and your 'deadline' was approaching but you couldn't get booked in for your retest for months and months, what happens?

If this was ever introduced then do all current driver's have 25 years from now before our next text or is it 25 years from our actual test? So those who have been driving for 26 suddenly aren't allowed to drive until they can get booked in for their test?

Penguinfeather781 · 05/09/2022 14:29

Either do it often enough to make a difference (and invest in an awful lot more examiners!) or don’t bother - every 25 years is pointless. And since I think statistically new/young drivers cause the most accidents I’d probably say it’s not worth bothering.

As for raising revenue, don’t make me laugh. Just put up fuel tax or licence renewal costs or something cheap to administer- making everyone take repeated driving tests would cost a fortune!

Original poster

Scrambledeggyegg · 05/09/2022 14:29

Yes we have a capacity issue now but that is pandemic related. I’m trying to come up with new ideas for improving our country. In my opinion it’s gone to s**t. Posting on here seems good start, at least people read it. Too many drivers on the roads full stop. Let’s get rid of the bad ones who aren’t up to standard. Driving isn’t seen as difficult as it should be.

OP posts:

DiscoBadgers · 05/09/2022 14:30

Liz, are you shopping for new ideas already? First cheese, and now driving......

MadameCholetsDirtySecret · 05/09/2022 14:30

Scrambledeggyegg · 05/09/2022 14:29

Yes we have a capacity issue now but that is pandemic related. I’m trying to come up with new ideas for improving our country. In my opinion it’s gone to s**t. Posting on here seems good start, at least people read it. Too many drivers on the roads full stop. Let’s get rid of the bad ones who aren’t up to standard. Driving isn’t seen as difficult as it should be.

If there are too many drivers, why are you adding to the number ?

Penguinfeather781 · 05/09/2022 14:31

Scrambledeggyegg · 05/09/2022 14:29

Yes we have a capacity issue now but that is pandemic related. I’m trying to come up with new ideas for improving our country. In my opinion it’s gone to s**t. Posting on here seems good start, at least people read it. Too many drivers on the roads full stop. Let’s get rid of the bad ones who aren’t up to standard. Driving isn’t seen as difficult as it should be.

New ideas for improving our country, and this is where you start?!!

Original poster

Scrambledeggyegg · 05/09/2022 14:35

MadameCholetsDirtySecret · 05/09/2022 14:30

If there are too many drivers, why are you adding to the number ?

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I’m up skilling. But I’ve lived my whole life up to mid 30s not driving. Others could do it too, people see driving as a right, but it’s a privilege. After I learn, I’ll be privileged enough to do certain activities that require driving. However, if driving became illegal tomorrow, I’d just do something else.

OP posts:

senua · 05/09/2022 14:36

Let’s get rid of the bad ones who aren’t up to standard.
Your solution is to re-test everybody after 25 years, no matter what their standard. It would make sense to re-test anyone (irrespective of age. because you aren't ageist, are you OP? ) after an incident such as an accident, speeding offence, etc.

Badbadbunny · 05/09/2022 14:38

25 years is pointless. I'd say every 10 years is more sensible for everyone and then maybe every 5 years for those over state pension age.

QWE96 · 05/09/2022 14:40

Scrambledeggyegg · 05/09/2022 14:35

I’m up skilling. But I’ve lived my whole life up to mid 30s not driving. Others could do it too, people see driving as a right, but it’s a privilege. After I learn, I’ll be privileged enough to do certain activities that require driving. However, if driving became illegal tomorrow, I’d just do something else.

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You're upskilling... So just like everyone else learning to drive? Why is it acceptable for you to do it if there's too many people on the roads, but not for others?

Original poster

Scrambledeggyegg · 05/09/2022 14:40

Most people don’t realise how much driving has changed over time, what rules are different and also what they do that they shouldn’t have started in the first place. So many people just had 10 lessons and then did a test, so much fewer hours of lessons than is normal now. Theory test knowledge is bound to be way out of date. People unsafe on the road. My driving instructor used to drive ambulances, witnessed a lot of crashes. This has influenced my thinking.. they agree with me.

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JackieDaws · 05/09/2022 14:42

Scrambledeggyegg · 05/09/2022 14:35

I’m up skilling. But I’ve lived my whole life up to mid 30s not driving. Others could do it too, people see driving as a right, but it’s a privilege. After I learn, I’ll be privileged enough to do certain activities that require driving. However, if driving became illegal tomorrow, I’d just do something else.

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You don't need a car to be a Deliveroo driver. A pedal bike does just as well.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 05/09/2022 14:47

Scrambledeggyegg · 05/09/2022 14:40

Most people don’t realise how much driving has changed over time, what rules are different and also what they do that they shouldn’t have started in the first place. So many people just had 10 lessons and then did a test, so much fewer hours of lessons than is normal now. Theory test knowledge is bound to be way out of date. People unsafe on the road. My driving instructor used to drive ambulances, witnessed a lot of crashes. This has influenced my thinking.. they agree with me.

What are you basing this on?

Agrudge · 05/09/2022 14:47

Like others have said . Maybe concentrate on passing your first test before telling those that already have how we should be retested. 8 lessons for me and 1st time. 2 minors.

It would change for those that already have a licence. Mine runs out in 2052. Cant change that now

Original poster

Scrambledeggyegg · 05/09/2022 14:47

QWE96 · 05/09/2022 14:40

You're upskilling... So just like everyone else learning to drive? Why is it acceptable for you to do it if there's too many people on the roads, but not for others?

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If people are willing to take a test to drive then I see no problem. If unwilling to prove skill in driving, then remove from roads. Job done, reduction in number, pollution down. So many people hate tests. But tests are part of safety, and the mechanism of society control.

OP posts:

JellyfishandShells · 05/09/2022 14:48

Scrambledeggyegg · 05/09/2022 14:40

Most people don’t realise how much driving has changed over time, what rules are different and also what they do that they shouldn’t have started in the first place. So many people just had 10 lessons and then did a test, so much fewer hours of lessons than is normal now. Theory test knowledge is bound to be way out of date. People unsafe on the road. My driving instructor used to drive ambulances, witnessed a lot of crashes. This has influenced my thinking.. they agree with me.

But those people haven’t been doing nothing since they took their tests - they’ve been building on their skills, experiencing a myriad of driving conditions, learning how to deal with other drivers and emergency situations.

You have been, presumably, in a dual control car, never been on a motorway or in the middle of the night. You have no idea.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 05/09/2022 14:49

Scrambledeggyegg · 05/09/2022 14:35

I’m up skilling. But I’ve lived my whole life up to mid 30s not driving. Others could do it too, people see driving as a right, but it’s a privilege. After I learn, I’ll be privileged enough to do certain activities that require driving. However, if driving became illegal tomorrow, I’d just do something else.

Show quote history

This makes no sense. If you don't need to drive, why bother learning if you think it's so dangerous and there are too many people on the roads.

It's like those people who complain about shops being open on boxing Day while shopping in said shop...

girlmom21 · 05/09/2022 14:49

Of course your driving instructor agrees. More work for them...

If you think there are too many drivers on the road, don't add to them.
If you think there are too many bad drivers, currently you're one of them.