Compulsory resits
Discussion
I know you have to resit your driving test if you want to drive into your elderly years, but is it just me who thinks compulsory resits every ten years would be a good thing? There are so many people who would have passed their test maybe 30 years ago who have now picked up terrible habits about driving - so much so that they're unsafe on the roads and would fail a test if they had to retake. Good observation, lane discipline round roundabouts and use of the indicator are areas of particular concern.
Also, anyone else think that if you can't pass a driving test within half a dozen attempts then maybe driving isnt for you? Anyone know anyone whos taken longer than this to pass and is now a good driver?
While you're posting, it'd be interesting to know what the average number of tests a PHer takes before passing... I'm happy to start the ball rolling - I was a first time passer, with 4 minors.
Also, anyone else think that if you can't pass a driving test within half a dozen attempts then maybe driving isnt for you? Anyone know anyone whos taken longer than this to pass and is now a good driver?
While you're posting, it'd be interesting to know what the average number of tests a PHer takes before passing... I'm happy to start the ball rolling - I was a first time passer, with 4 minors.
I got my DSA test on the second attempt.
I failed my first one, aged 17, because my parents insisted on visiting a builder's merchant on the way and we were late. I remember thinking at the time that this was not smart. But hey ho. The second time I was 19 and paying myself: so I hired my driving instructor to take me to the test. Funnily enough we were there bang on time and concentrating on nothing but passing and wouldn't you know it I passed.
Passed every other test first time.
Do I think retests are a good idea? Yes. But they will never happen for reasons of cost.
I failed my first one, aged 17, because my parents insisted on visiting a builder's merchant on the way and we were late. I remember thinking at the time that this was not smart. But hey ho. The second time I was 19 and paying myself: so I hired my driving instructor to take me to the test. Funnily enough we were there bang on time and concentrating on nothing but passing and wouldn't you know it I passed.
Passed every other test first time.
Do I think retests are a good idea? Yes. But they will never happen for reasons of cost.
brillomaster said:
I know you have to resit your driving test if you want to drive into your elderly years,
That's new to me, when did it come in?As for the rest of us yes, retests are a good idea.
More than 6 minors, have to resit and pass within 3 months to keep your licence.
Pass standard - another retest in 3 years.
IAM standard - another retest in 6 years.
brillomaster said:
I know you have to resit your driving test if you want to drive into your elderly years.
Incorrect.directgov said:
Your driving licence entitlement will expire when you reach the age of 70 and if you want to continue to drive, the entitlement will need to be renewed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Your renewed licence will normally be valid for three years.
No resit, you've just got to renew every three years and it can be done online.my mistake, i presumed license running out meant you'd have to pass the test again. just as well really, think of all those unsafe elderly who'd have no chance of passing a test who wouldnt be able to drive! 
Also, do you not think that as the roads change, drivers should be retaught? there are now obviously many more cars on the road than there were 20 years ago, so the importance of correctly negotiating roundabouts should be tested for all drivers, not just the new ones. similarly, cars have now improved, so outdated techniques such as shifting down through the gears, use of anti lock brakes and other things should be retaught.
Also, do you not think that as the roads change, drivers should be retaught? there are now obviously many more cars on the road than there were 20 years ago, so the importance of correctly negotiating roundabouts should be tested for all drivers, not just the new ones. similarly, cars have now improved, so outdated techniques such as shifting down through the gears, use of anti lock brakes and other things should be retaught.
7db said:
There's barely enough capacity to test the new drivers. Resits would break the system as it currently stands. Even every ten years, which would provide some benefit, I feel.
Except, this could be self financing and provide some jobs, more ADIs, providing training for the retest, and more Examiners.Could easily be sold with the right campaign, "Keep your driving skills up to date".
Or, to use somewhat dark means, "Welcome aboard this Boeing 747 400, flying to Singapore, I'm Captain X, I was last checked on this aircraft type 20 years ago.
Would you be happy to be flown by this Captain? If not, why would you be happy to be driven by someone who has never been retested and be surrounded, on our roads, by others who have never been retested?"
At least, in the air, aircraft are separated and monitored by ATC systems, there are non such on our roads.
So, we retest those who pilot one of the safest forms of transport but not those engaging in the most dangerous?
jhfozzy said:
brillomaster said:
I know you have to resit your driving test if you want to drive into your elderly years.
Incorrect.directgov said:
Your driving licence entitlement will expire when you reach the age of 70 and if you want to continue to drive, the entitlement will need to be renewed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Your renewed licence will normally be valid for three years.
No resit, you've just got to renew every three years and it can be done online.Dr Jekyll said:
Everyone assumes it would be unpopular but very few are actually against it.
I wonder if because everyone believes themselves to be above average drivers they believe they wouldn't fail? Or perhaps they just know it will never happen. I suspect if it did come in and people started losing their licences and "right" to drive, there would be uproar (and possibly a lot more unlicensed and uninsured people driving on the roads).Chris
There is little point to resits
Learning to 'pass a test' is easy for experienced drivers. I regularly provide short notice lessons and tests for those that are driving illegally and have never had and previous instruction. This can often all be done on the same day and for those that take my advice there is a 100% success rate.
Some appreciate the benefits of driving to a system but others say that once they have their licence they will revert to their old habits.
The only way of improving driving standards that is feasible to my mind is to have constant electronic monitoring of technique on the public roads. Bad technique (harsh acceleration and breaking) could result in a reduction of engine power the next time the vehicle comes to a halt. I don't see it ever happening though.
Resits, if they happen will, be but a minor inconvenience for most.
Learning to 'pass a test' is easy for experienced drivers. I regularly provide short notice lessons and tests for those that are driving illegally and have never had and previous instruction. This can often all be done on the same day and for those that take my advice there is a 100% success rate.
Some appreciate the benefits of driving to a system but others say that once they have their licence they will revert to their old habits.
The only way of improving driving standards that is feasible to my mind is to have constant electronic monitoring of technique on the public roads. Bad technique (harsh acceleration and breaking) could result in a reduction of engine power the next time the vehicle comes to a halt. I don't see it ever happening though.
Resits, if they happen will, be but a minor inconvenience for most.
Martin A said:
There is little point to resits
Learning to 'pass a test' is easy for experienced drivers. I regularly provide short notice lessons and tests for those that are driving illegally and have never had and previous instruction. This can often all be done on the same day and for those that take my advice there is a 100% success rate.
Some appreciate the benefits of driving to a system but others say that once they have their licence they will revert to their old habits.
The only way of improving driving standards that is feasible to my mind is to have constant electronic monitoring of technique on the public roads. Bad technique (harsh acceleration and breaking) could result in a reduction of engine power the next time the vehicle comes to a halt. I don't see it ever happening though.
Resits, if they happen will, be but a minor inconvenience for most.
Fleet drivers who have been required to tak IAM style instruction by their employers do generally show a significant reduction in accidents, around 50% is not unusual. Generally because the instructors/observers pick up on bad habits. If as well as improving safety it's only a minor inconvenience, so much the better. Learning to 'pass a test' is easy for experienced drivers. I regularly provide short notice lessons and tests for those that are driving illegally and have never had and previous instruction. This can often all be done on the same day and for those that take my advice there is a 100% success rate.
Some appreciate the benefits of driving to a system but others say that once they have their licence they will revert to their old habits.
The only way of improving driving standards that is feasible to my mind is to have constant electronic monitoring of technique on the public roads. Bad technique (harsh acceleration and breaking) could result in a reduction of engine power the next time the vehicle comes to a halt. I don't see it ever happening though.
Resits, if they happen will, be but a minor inconvenience for most.
i wouldnt have an instant fail for failing a test - it should be like an MOT. assuming you have a retest every 10 years, you could take a test up to 6 months before your licence runs out, which would give plenty of time to pass, even accounting for a few unlucky attempts.
I think it would encourage drivers to consider their driving more often, and would certainly pick up on bad habits, which could then be removed.
How about government paid retests each year between ages of 17-22? they keep going on about this group being the least safe, so hows about then doing something about it? if a 17 year old has passed the test on 5 separate occasions before they're 23, they'd probably be a lot safer if they passed once!
I think it would encourage drivers to consider their driving more often, and would certainly pick up on bad habits, which could then be removed.
How about government paid retests each year between ages of 17-22? they keep going on about this group being the least safe, so hows about then doing something about it? if a 17 year old has passed the test on 5 separate occasions before they're 23, they'd probably be a lot safer if they passed once!
I'm in two minds about the resit thing - the debate could go on forever.
As for taking numerous tests etc, a limit may be a good idea but when you tell someone they can not drive, ever, then you are restricting their life and career choice for the rest of their lives. If someone fails for being dangerous time and time again then perhaps that's another matter, but someone who fails because they just can't quite park within 6 inches of the kerb because they're nervous etc...I don't know.
I passed my test about 3 years ago, first time, 1 minor (and I'm a girl!).
As for taking numerous tests etc, a limit may be a good idea but when you tell someone they can not drive, ever, then you are restricting their life and career choice for the rest of their lives. If someone fails for being dangerous time and time again then perhaps that's another matter, but someone who fails because they just can't quite park within 6 inches of the kerb because they're nervous etc...I don't know.
I passed my test about 3 years ago, first time, 1 minor (and I'm a girl!).
jagracer said:
jhfozzy said:
brillomaster said:
I know you have to resit your driving test if you want to drive into your elderly years.
Incorrect.directgov said:
Your driving licence entitlement will expire when you reach the age of 70 and if you want to continue to drive, the entitlement will need to be renewed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Your renewed licence will normally be valid for three years.
No resit, you've just got to renew every three years and it can be done online.brillomaster said:
i wouldnt have an instant fail for failing a test - it should be like an MOT. assuming you have a retest every 10 years, you could take a test up to 6 months before your licence runs out, which would give plenty of time to pass, even accounting for a few unlucky attempts.
I think it would encourage drivers to consider their driving more often, and would certainly pick up on bad habits, which could then be removed.
How about government paid retests each year between ages of 17-22? they keep going on about this group being the least safe, so hows about then doing something about it? if a 17 year old has passed the test on 5 separate occasions before they're 23, they'd probably be a lot safer if they passed once!
Tests do little to raise standards. It's desire to be better that matters.I think it would encourage drivers to consider their driving more often, and would certainly pick up on bad habits, which could then be removed.
How about government paid retests each year between ages of 17-22? they keep going on about this group being the least safe, so hows about then doing something about it? if a 17 year old has passed the test on 5 separate occasions before they're 23, they'd probably be a lot safer if they passed once!
If you have a test, people just want to know what they have to do to pass it, it doesn't encourage learning beyond just that, passing the test!
Because it's seen as learning to pass the test (& not learning to drive) the temptation is then just to bin it, after all it was only for test.
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