Opinions relating to re-testing for license renewal, what's your opinion? Options

[saleeka]

I got to thinking just a few minutes ago how here in the US, we don't have licensed drivers re-test at any point to insure that they are still knowledgeable of traffic laws, and I really don't understand why... I just came back from the grocery store and had, I’ll say, an "unpleasant" experience with an older gentleman driver who clearly did not have the attention, or practical knowledge to be driving safely anymore... I've heard that too many people are against re-testing for fear that it would negatively affect them, but personally, I'm all for having to re-test at renewal time. I can't see how taking a few hours out of a good driver's day is so negative in comparison to the people who fail and are forced to take a day and go through "the basics" again and pass, hopefully leaning a few things and becoming a better driver in the process. I understand implementing re-testing would incur quite a bit of cost to fund and run, but I think a few times in a lifetime (say once every ten years) would be a reasonable refresher and good balance between cost-effectiveness and usefulness. What does everybody else think?

[uberschall]

forkee, i like the way you think. sadly, a system of that nature is far too advanced for current american society. it would encourage license plate fraud, blackmail, and other forms of jackassery that aren't worth the trouble.

i submit that EVERY driver over the age of 55 be required to present a competency evaluation with their renewal periodically. an exam that evaluates eyesight, hearing, reflexes, alertness, and other characteristics essential to safe driving would be performed by a medical doctor, and the results reported to both the driver in question and the dmv. a quantitative scale not unlike the iq system would have to be developed for the purpose.

while i understand the importance of "freedom," i am sternly opposed to putting too high a value on personal freedoms that endager others. in my opinion, it is pathetic that an 85 year-old widower has to drive himself anywhere in this country after ~65-70 years of paying taxes first place...not to mention that an elderly person with diminished sensory and reflexive abilities shouldn't be allowed to wield a 4000-lb+ weapon.

i'm sure at least some of you read about this accident, or maybe this, possibly even this?

case=rested