To conclude there must be many thousands of people on the roads who have not passed the driving test.

[redange]

I cannot believe the appalling standard of driving i see every day. To 'Legally' pass a driving test today requires a higher standard of competency than 35 years ago. In order to pass today requires an awareness of Hazard perception, correct use of Gears (if in a Manual) understanding of speed and distance and before that a difficult theory test. Therefore, how is it possible that the standard of driving is infinitely worse. The only conclusion can be that many thousands of people are driving illegally and dangerously on the highways of the United Kingdom.

I think most of them live near me. 😠

Because you are correct in what you said, they're are many people on the road who have never taken or passed a test in the UK

An older family friend has advancing Alzheimers, everyone bar her husband want her to stop as she isn't simply safe (he doesn't as then he'd have to drive her places and he doesnt want the inconvenience).

The woman wasn't a good driver to start with, she is away with the fairies, can't corner, can barely open a car door reliably, can't recognise speed limits or stick to them. She's been reported to DVLA multiple times, and yet, getting her licence revoked before she kills someone is impossible. They ask the person who has been reported to self declare on a form they are capable......which in their view, of course they are. It is astounding.

It does seem to be mostly old people who have forgotten what lane they are supposed to be in and probably can't even see properly. They need to re-test people over 70.

I know a chap who is driving around on a provisional and has done for years and years albeit with someone who has passed at the side of them (who is not a confident driver at all) No intention ever of passing his test. It’s a loophole in the system that people can drive up and down the country (not on motorways fair enough) but without ever passing a test.

I had my post deleted last time I pointed that out! Seems one can be gender critical on MN but nothing else. 100% agree.

It’s foreign students near us. Totally clueless about the UK Highway Code

I have a 60 min commute. Today, just as a typical day, one car with indicators on roundabout but didn't leave and I nearly got wiped out as thought they were turning off. One woman doing 52 on the outside lane of a dual carriageway then swearing at me as I flashed her. One woman swinging into the lane as must have realised last minute it was her exit, one woman charging down a road with all parked cars on her side and expecting me to move. All that in 60 mins. It's awful. Especially roundabouts where people either indicate but don't turn or turn but don't indicate. I was knackered when I got home. Thank god for fast acceleration on my car.

Nah, I think it is just that a lot of folks think that the Highway Code is only needed to pass your test, and you can drive how you want in the real world once you have your pass certificate.

The people I see hogging the middle lane of the M4 are often younger males and females. They are staring fixedly at the road in front.

Then, on the M4 around the m25 and Heathrow, there are a lot of young men in fast black BMWs and Audis speeding up the inside lane to overtake. I imagine they have false plates or diplomatic immunity because they don’t care about the speed cameras.

Some of the best drivers are people in their 60's and 70's. A lot of them have real 'Roadcraft' and have not been brought up with today's cars where some drivers don't even know how to fill a car up with fuel !

Thus, i find it highly 'ageist' to always say the old people are the bad drivers. These People actually learned how to drive. Without aids preventing crashes . Many learnt without ABS brakes ASC Anti Skid Control, devices stopping you from reversing and understanding their driving and their cars abilities.

We all see examples of what we perceive to be bad driving, however no one is the perfect driver despite what we might think. We all make mistakes to a lesser or greater degree and anyone who thinks they are the dangerous ones.

I can offer a different perspective - I have passed my driving test 8 years ago, on a first try, with only 3 minors. I took sooo many lessons at the time and prepared lots, had the right positive mindset on the day about passing and was lucky to not get a horrible route etc.

However, I haven’t driven a car since the day of my test until this year (as started preparing driving my son to nursery when he turns 1) and I’ll be honest - I’m not a confident driver, my husband is still with me in the car, directing me and stopping me from doing stupid things 🙈 So not being the best driver doesn’t necessarily mean the person hasn’t passed their test…

I also know quite a few people (ladies tbh) who are in the same position - passed 30+ years ago and never driven, passed 10+ years ago and only just started driving again recently and still not confident…

I thought you had to have L plates and someone sat with you if you are a leaner but I see what you mean

hope he is reported and prosecuted

I say this EVERY TIME on a thread like this.

Every 10 years when we have to renew our licence, we should have to take a theory and hazard perception test (admittedly highly unlikely given the current driving test mess, but it is online so could be done I am sure).

My DM is 80 and bought the new Highway Code last year so she could keep up to date (has also told me to tell her if I ever notice her driving is deteriorating - I did last week when she was running 46 in a 40mph... admittedly one of those roads which is long and straight but has stupid deer popping their heads out every so often).

For some reason we see driving as a right (once you've passed your test at possibly 17, I did), rather than a privelege (which requires continuous development)

You are correct. But one problem is generational changes in the driving test standards. Eg I indicate EVERY time I come out of my lane, so to overtake a stationary car, to turn left into a road, to turn right on a roundabout. According to my adult DC you should not indicate to overtake a parked car. Roundabouts are a whole essay. Indication is communication to other road users. But not for that generation.

The rules changed this year in the UK

Over 70 year olds will no longer be able to auto renew their driving licence every 3 years.

They will need proof of a recent eye test & fitness to drive from a GP

Rubbish. Round here it’s a mix of young men and Mums ferrying their children to school.

Hush with the ageism

I think it’s a result of a couple of things.
Now, cars can be checked for insurance, MOT by CCTV - but that doesn’t mean that the driver has a licence - even though the owner of the vehicle may have one. That’s if it is even registered……
Secondly, the reduction in traffic police was a big mistake - they used to be out and about and would stop bad drivers, give them forms to produce a licence, insurance and MOT, stop obvious traffic offences, drink driving etc. I’m quite sure that their presence saved lives.
CCTV is simply not the same.

For what? What he is doing is perfectly legal.

YANBU

Middle lane driving seems to be standard now.

Presumably he’s displaying L plates and drives as a learner driver on the other person’s insurance

My friend's son was killed by a man who had no licence or insurance. He shouldn't have even been in the country.
Another friend was seriously injured the same way. Nobody is checking.

where are you getting drivers who don't even know how to fill their cars up from? Any actual stats or quotes on that other than made up anecdata.
I struggle to see how they'd manage to drive badly, or at all, if they couldn't fuel their car. Unless you're assuming they all use electric cars, in which case recharging it is refuelling it! I don't see the connection b/w 'driving safely' and 'putting petrol in your car' anyway - years ago (and still in other countries) the station attendants used to put the fuel in your car for you!

I don't believe it is a large proportion, though there will be some who have not or are flouting a ban.

Much as I agree with the OP about driving standards. Lack of police, courts believing sob stories (when eventually court cases happen), low chance of being caught, and finally the nature of modern cars.

I don't view 25% of drivers as being unfit to hold a licence, I consider it to be fact. Some for medical reasons sadly, many for conduct.