To think that some people shouldn't ever be given a driving license?

[doughnutty]

Surely common sense would suggest that not everyone is cut out to drive.
That it should be viewed as a priviledge not a right and if it takes you hundreds of lessons and failed tests you should give in gracefully.

Oh yes. I knew a woman who took her test 9 times.

I passed my driving test fifth time, and probably did have hundreds of lessons. I was, and always have been, very confident on the road. My mum passed first time, and crashed the car twice in the first month after she passed.

It's hardly an exact science.

Is this about something/someone specific, or just generally? I think everyone has the right to keep trying to pass their test if they choose to. Imagine the pressure if you only had 3 tests in which to pass before you were prevented from driving for ever. Plenty of capable drivers wouldn't be able to pass a test under pressure like that.

I passed first time and I am a crap driver, I don't think being able to passa a test makes you a good driver. I know a few people who can drive quite happily but the minute they get in the test car go to pieces.

Hundreds of lessons and failed tests? That would be me

I am not a great driver but how am I supposed to get my children to school and everywhere else without a car? Not driving is a huge disadvantage.

I agree with you that not everyone is cut out to be a great driver but these days if you manage to pass I would have thought you wouldn't represent a hazard, hopefully.

It is just a general question. I have no doubt that some people are just nervous in a test situation etc but wanted to know what others thought.

I was recently driven in a car by someone and they were so bad I was a nervous wreck by the time I got out.

You would have to prove a correlation between taking a long time to pass and being a crap driver. The scariest people I have ever been driven by have been the over-confident sort who think the rules don't apply to them because they are (they reckon) so naturally brilliant at it.

Some people never do get good enough to pass a test. Others will be fine and good drivers, just need a lot more lessons than other manage with.

But I've certainly met qualified drivers who were terrifying!

I am not a natural driver and it took me a while to learn to drive. I still make mistakes but I am contentious and I am careful.

Not everyone can take 10 lessons and pass, sometimes it just takes time.

Dh had to try 4 times. He is actually fine on the roads, but overcautious when bay parking, so he kept failing on that. Has never caused an accident.

cory - I empathise with your dh. I was crap overcautious when parallel parking, hence my previous four failed attempts.

I didn't get that manouevre on my fifth test, or I am pretty sure I would have failed again!

Agreed with OP. As long as you agree that you should, then, be exempt from people making sniping, snide remarks on the lines of "aren't you ever going to learn to drive?" or pointed comments about accepting lifts all the time.

Some people just don't get driving in the way that others don't get golf, mending electrics, financial stuff, sewing or working a lawnmower. It doesn't make you some sort of inferior human being.