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?

[Supersprynt]

You want to re-test every 5 or 6 years? Thats a bit extreme.

It will require more people to do more road tests on a daily basis. The DMV would be flooded with appointments to retest.

Costs would go up to pay for the increase in work staff.

You can get your license here in NY at 16. Senior license at 18. I think maybe retesting should occur at 70, but certainly not whenever renewal is required. My license was issued in 2004 and expires in 2010, 6 years.

I also think there should be a cap on who can drive, like 85 yrs old.

This post has been edited by Supersprynt: Jun 16, 2007 - 8:51 PM

[96bluevert]

I totally agree. there are alot of dumb*** drivers out there, both young and old.

I also think there should be a cap on who can drive, like 85 yrs old.

well there actually are people that old that CAN drive pretty good. Obviously the majority shouldn't be on the road, but i dont think just cause your a certain age that you should have ur liscence taken away. They should be tested every like 4-5yrs.

[Kadett]

In our country the traffic signs and some road stripes change sometimes, I think both the Driving test and the Knowlegde Test (dont know how to say that in English) should be redone every 10 years.

Why not at 60-65-70. Because most men and women become so stubborn at that age a re-test would be pointless and to many rules would have been changed in that past 40-50 year for them to remember.

[Hanyo]

i think a take home test would be great every 2-3 years. Even though the test would be easy, it would be a nice refreshment of the road laws. You have to understand some of the questions on the DMV test are riducoulously confusing and not useful to your average driver.

I dont think driving test are nessary. Because everyone gets senile at a different age. And when age does come into a factor that prevents a person from driving safely, they progression from save driver to terrible driver is quick. By this I mean, a person can drive wonderfully at age 75 and pass the test with flying colors. But in two years their vision and senses deteriorate so much they can barely drive. Would that mean, senor citizen should be tested yearly? is that fair?

[WannabeGT4]

This isn't true across the entire US. We have to take a written test and eye exam every six years in Kansas. Doesn't seem to make much of a difference though. There's still a ton of dumb asses on the road here.

[forkee]

ok ive given this some thought

taking a mandatory written retest every so often would definitely be redundant (especially to those who have a clean record) and make the dmv even more hellish than it already is. but people who clearly cant drive can still read and follow directions. having the knowledge still doesnt equal having the capability to safely operate a vehicle.

putting a ceiling on what age you can drive is against everything american, lol. ive seen old people drive better than average aged people. dont discriminate just because they are old. plain stupidity is just as common as eye problems and slow reaction times.

people who receive take home tests would just give it to another family member or look up the answers online, etc. it doesn't show the true competency of their current abilities.

my proposal is to have a citizen's reporting act. if you suspect someone to be driving recklessly, report their actions by either calling a number, texting their license plate, or submitting it online via a form. Make it like the 3 strikes law. If they get more than, say, 5 reports (from individuals in seperate households) within a 2 week period saying people have seen them act recklessly, they will automatically receive a notice to retake the written portion of the exam, as well as a $10 process fee. if they receive more than 5 reports within a week's period, they will need to retake the driving portion as well as a $50 fee. right before the test, they will have to submit their license and will only get it back if they pass. if they fail, they will require taking driver's school all over again to receive it. people who report others can not currently (or within the past 20 days) have any infractions themselves and can only report the same plate once a month. if there is more than one driver registered to a plate, the test applies to all of them. Its a deterrant to make people think twice before registering their kid before they are ready to drive because if they get reported, the parents will need to retest as well.

not only does this method require a few amount of resources, (call centers, computerized storage of license plates, computerized notice distribution) but it also maintains anonymity (the reported does not know the reporter, and the reporter does not know who the reported is or where they live, but the system will match everything and only sends notices to those who have been flagged so many times). its based on how well someone drives and leaves the good drivers alone.

[cnelson]

after age 60 i think testing should be manditory every 8 years. Because some people really do forget how to drive.

[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

[Kwanza26]

Just FYI... Teens between age 16 and 19 are much more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than the elderly. To me, this topic turned into ageism.. which isn't exactly what the OP was talking about... Granted it is fair to say elderly folk above 70 years old do have more accidents than say people in their 50's... but teens and young people still are more dangerous overall.

[ILuvMyCelica95]

I personally think that 16 is too early to get a license. Thats the age here in NY as Erik said. I got mine at 17 but i still think i was too young to have that freedom.

The problem is at a younger age you feel invincible and/or you feel the need to test the car and your limit. I'm sure many people have done it, myself included.

I also agree with some of the point concerning older people. I think 55 or 60 is way to early to re-test someone. I think 75+. I do know that when you renew your license you have to submit a signed form from your eye doctor saying you passed the exam. If you fail that then no more license for you.

A few years ago we took my grandmother’s car away because she’s 85 and she was just hitting random things like fences and I witnessed her go into the one way at the bank in town almost causing a big accident. At that point we said sorry but you really aren’t safe anymore.

The problem is not all older people or younger people have someone in their lives with common sense that can tell them hey you need more experience or you really shouldn’t be driving anymore.

[Daftsgirl]

Age has nothing to do with it. I think what needs to be done is to have a better driving test. When then give the driving test it is 5mph and only one person allowed at a time. I didnt even have to park when i took mine. I think that they need to have a more realistic test. Have it done on the highway, merging lanes, on bridges etc. at normally speed limits to get more of a feel of how that person drive i mean they have their permit so they are allowed to drive on the road at this time just with someone over 21 so why not for the driving test?

[BlackCelicaGT94]

I personally think that 16 is too early to get a license. Thats the age here in NY as Erik said. I got mine at 17 but i still think i was too young to have that freedom.

The problem is at a younger age you feel invincible and/or you feel the need to test the car and your limit. I'm sure many people have done it, myself included.

Looking back on it I was way to young to be driving. I got my license and 4 days later was in a car accident. I dont think I was prepared to have the responsibility till 19.

[Sh0gunkid8721]

Everybody should retest once you hit the 55-60 year barrier. Senior citizens are hazardous behind the wheel. If you have to drive well below the speed limit to be a careful driver, then you shouldnt be driving at all.

[forkee]

u people are on crack! lol

i got my provisional license at 15 1/2 and im 25 now and havent gotten into one accident

'knocks on wood'

[neKronos]

u people are on crack! lol

i got my provisional license at 15 1/2 and im 25 now and havent gotten into one accident

'knocks on wood'

Define accident?

[Kwanza26]

u people are on crack! lol

i got my provisional license at 15 1/2 and im 25 now and havent gotten into one accident

'knocks on wood'

That's why the topic's not called "Why Ray Chu should re-test before he renews his liscense."

I agree that senior citizens can potentially hazardous drivers, but to ignore, as many here have, that teens are far more dangerous is quite biased. Although I don't exactly agree re-testing is neccessary, I do think current tests are too easy. Some people really don't belong behind the wheel. I personally hate young teen girls behind the wheel.

[forkee]

u people are on crack! lol

i got my provisional license at 15 1/2 and im 25 now and havent gotten into one accident

'knocks on wood'

Define accident?

i have never hit another car, person, or object with my car, nor have replaced any body part due to damage. i got 3 speeding tickets in my teens but there were only 5 mph above the limit.

[neKronos]

u people are on crack! lol

i got my provisional license at 15 1/2 and im 25 now and havent gotten into one accident

'knocks on wood'

Define accident?

i have never hit another car, person, or object with my car, nor have replaced any body part due to damage. i got 3 speeding tickets in my teens but there were only 5 mph above the limit.

Nice, im sure not having to deal with ice helps. and as to not completely hijack the thread.

All this would be more feasible this so what testing and what not if there was better public transportation in this country. But thats not the case since weve become so automotive reliant and car companies surely have enjoyed this.