Compulsory Licence Re-testing

[Birds]

Whenever I see a shitty driver on the road, my first rational thought (after the customary cursing) has been: this person would not pass if they were re-tested for their licence.

We have compulsory licence renewal, but that's just revenue and record keeping. I've always maintained that we should be re-tested to keep ourselves and others in check. My rationale:

- We all develop bad habits on the road (out of lazyness, and because we don't have a test to pass...unlike a learner driver).

- We have people who got their licence 20 years ago but the road rules/laws and testing procedures have changed since then.

- Some people are just plain dangerous and I would not feel bad at all if they did not pass their test.

- I'd like to see re-testing once a year, but realistically once every 2-3 years could be sufficient?

- I think it would severely reduce accidents, e.g. the classic and common "who gives way to who?" accident.

Now for some cons:

- Many people would probably lose their jobs because alot would NOT pass a licence re-test. (unlimited retests, a month to pass it?)

- Cost...who pays for it? (government subsidised, or discounted/free if you have a good driving record?)

- Inconvenience? (Vicroads open on weekends?)

Obviously there are alot of areas to cover if it were ever to be implemented, but I've always liked the sound of it and wondered why it wasn't done. I've added a poll to obtain some consensus. Your thoughts?

[xALmoN]

too much work, i've seen how lazy some australians are, no offence to you guys, but unless something big happens, nobody has any reason to change what isn't broken, and as of now, all the accidents can be blamed on speed, and hooning, so there's no reason for them to implement this new system.

[Chibs]

Are we talking a driving test or a computer test? Eitherway i would not agree though... It would be a real pain to go through it again... And majority of accidents are blamed on SPEED... not who gives way to who...

[Birds]

Dirving and computer maybe? How long is a driving test? About an hour? Surely once every couple of years isn't going to be much of a pain unless you don't think you will pass it.

Blamed on speed yes, but look how many T bones happen because people fail to give way. Not that preparing for a driving test wouldn't have you watching your speed anyway...the idea is that it keeps you every bit the driver you were when you were on your L plates trying to pass your Ps. I know I was a better driver then, not as experienced, but I certainly didn't make as many mistakes as I do now.

[scotty nm35]

I nearly got taken out by somebody doing a u-turn yesterday, does anyone really know all the road rules?

[bluejeans]

hell yes great idea!

[MUZT3K]

60+ year olds should definetly do it once a year...some of them have no road sense anymore

[Basti]

just because accidents are blamed on speed doesnt make that the only cause. im all for licence retests. and bloody vicroads need to operate on weekends

[Serg]

Yesssss!!

I wouldnt say a driving test is necessary, but at least an online test or something with new road rules just so peeps actually remember that U turns must give way, u must indicate and maintain speed when lane changing, keep youre line in and out when turning at the lights, not being a dickhead when you see a N/A skyline and trying to drag it even though you have a GTR, etc etc etc... LOL

[Birds]

That's why I made it a pretty generalised poll question, well as much as I could, because everyone who does support it is going to have their own idea regarding how to go about it (type/length of test, frequency of re-testing etc.). So don't be afraid to say yes if you like the general idea but would have different ideas of how to go about it. The point of it is more to see if there is a void that needs to be filled.

I'd like to see practical driving too, because some people slam on the breaks and others simple drive too slow. Driving behaviour in general needs attention, it's not just the road rules that are being broken or mis-interpreted. Also, I'm in no way saying I'm a good driver...if this were implemented, I would appreciate it keeping me on my toes because I'm human - I get lazy and make mistakes too.

[West]

F/off ,

Not a chance in hell, i'll fail for sure. I feel sorry for the new generation, it used to be much easier............12 or 20 written multiplechoice question for theory test and the driving test and that was it.

[jezza boii]

60+ year olds should definetly do it once a year...some of them have no road sense anymore

+1

Some older drivers are VERY dangerous. I've seen some going 30km/h in an 80 zone, swerving across the lanes, cutting people off and completely oblivious to it all!

[Omurru]

Sounds like a very good idea to me, but I dont think it will ever happen because of the simple reason that it will cost money instead of making money.....its bullshit really. It's like we all know and agree that the tests to get your license needs to be revamped, who cares about parking how bout freeway manouvering and leaving space to allow people to merge as you approach merge lanes....

On a side note did anyone hear about the accident on the ring road in thomastown last night? I was reading about it in the paper today, womans bonnet flew up and she slammed on the brakes and caused a 4 car pile up, stupid, but fair enough, then a truck pulled up and stopped across the two lanes, yep good work, then a 4wd ran into the truck and rolled taking out more cars in the process? WTF! Couldn't he see a semi parked across the freeway with his hazards on? Thats some all round poor driving right there!

[iseekool]

Yep.

- Re-test every year whilst on your Ps

- Stricter licence testing for new migrants.

- 2 to 3 years is a bit much for you avg Joe - but excellent for people who drive as a living eg. taxi, bus, truck drivers.

- 5 years for eveyone else with a basic eye sight/health check.

- Special training for large 4x4 drivers.

[R31Nismoid]

100% agree.

It should also be that you cannot be tested by the same person. It must be someone else.

Some of the VicRoads people must have someone in thier back pocket because i see people unable to simply park a car - and i see this almost daily given i work in the same building as Immigration.

I see probably 1 pearler effort every 2-3 weeks. Its pathetic any of them were given a license in the first place.

Hell i saw a middle aged asian lady drive into a 5ft high Skip @ 20km/h just last week on the DRIVER SIDE. You could have fat a fken BUS through the gap she had between the skip and a parked car, but managed to write the entire side of her car off @ no more than walking pace.

I just shook my head.

[gdogzgtr]

Absolutely. Almost all the people I have put in for license reviews have failed the test and had their license suspended.

In relation to accidents almost the only time speed is a factor is in Major/Fatal collisions.

95% of collisions I have been to have been fail to give way or fail to drive sufficient distance behind a vehicle (rear end) the rest are drink driver's or elderly/bad driver's losing control round bend or similar. I have been to about 20 in last couple of years with elderly crashing into fences/houses/shops by accelerating in stead of braking.

[xALmoN]

Absolutely. Almost all the people I have put in for license reviews have failed the test and had their license suspended.

In relation to accidents almost the only time speed is a factor is in Major/Fatal collisions.

95% of collisions I have been to have been fail to give way or fail to drive sufficient distance behind a vehicle (rear end) the rest are drink driver's or elderly/bad driver's losing control round bend or similar. I have been to about 20 in last couple of years with elderly crashing into fences/houses/shops by accelerating in stead of braking.

Recently got done for failure to give way, was turning right, and while this black merc was signaling me to go ahead, and i did after checking the other lane was clear, an excel was speeding up that lane and almost t-boned me. I should have been more patient, and i got a 209$ fine + 3 points. =(

But gimme a retest anytime, if i can pass the test in singapore, i reckon i can pass the tests anywhere, except in places where i need to pull off a powerslide.. I'm actually all for retests, too many shit drivers everywhere, and even though i'm a foreigner myself, i see lots of foreigners driving stupidly. Well actually, only if retests are FREE, or well, when you pay to renew your license, you automatically have to take the test. If i have to pay extra, f**k it.

But, @ the elderly crashing into stuff, its not funny, could have killed people with their impairment.

Edited September 10, 2010 by xALmoN

[ssxRicho]

additional revenue raised from such an initiative should go back into 1:1 funding for compulsory advanced driver training.

if you don't do the course and you dont pay, you dont get your p's. simple.

does anyone know the numbers? just out of interest.

number of [x] license issued in 09/10

[x] l plates, p plates, full license

[llama_au]

I'm for it. It might be harder to convince the general population though if they're forced to pay for it.

[xALmoN]

I'm for it. It might be harder to convince the general population though if they're forced to pay for it.

Yup, its expensive enough to pay for defects as such.