Could this lead to tougher tests for older drivers

Periodically* i need to recertify all of my work place competencies, if I don’t pass them, I don’t work until I can pass them. The only competency I don’t need to is my driving license (and my chainsaw)

That BBC link above quotes folk in their 80s saying well I passed at 17…. Grandfather rights shouldn’t apply.

I feel we should all be subject to routine reassessment of our driving. Even making it every 10 years would be better than nothing.

*All my tickets have differing durations between reassessment.

I think we’re all pretty much in agreement. Is there anyone against the idea?

If nothing else, aside from retesting it can’t hurt just to have a refresher. I passed my test in 1990, back then mini-roundabouts were a pretty new idea. I still see older drivers today that clearly don’t have a clue what to do with them and will blindly sit there until everyone else has gone or died from old age. They likely took a test 35+ years ago and haven’t looked at The Highway Code ever since, and it changes.

Too many folk continue to drive when they should not be.  We need mandatory retesting for everyone.

The first statement is no doubt true, but does not support the second statement, a silly knee jerk reaction.

What we need is a system where when people are diagnosed or suspected of dementia there is mandatory reporting to DVLC and those people, the higher risk ones, are subject to more rigorous requirements for testing or doctors approval.

The solution should be focused on the problem, not a random idea plucked out of thin air,  otherwise we end up with ideas like “Cyclists kill too many pedestrians. We need mandatory registration and insurance for bikes”

What we need is a system where when people are diagnosed or suspected of dementia there is mandatory reporting to DVLC and those people, the higher risk ones, are subject to more rigorous requirements for testing or doctors approval.

AIUI it’s already mandatory, it’s just that people don’t, not to mention that there are plenty of people about with cognitive impairment but no diagnosis.

I’m in no way against it – and infact redid my test for other reasons a few years back

BUT

has anyone tried booking a test……

has anyone tried booking a test……

Yes – in 1990. 🙂

The wait time back then was something like six weeks. I don’t imagine that’s changed for the better. I expect also there will be something of a postcode lottery.

but does not support the second statement, a silly knee jerk reaction.

AIUI it’s already mandatory, it’s just that people don’t, not to mention that there are plenty of people about with cognitive impairment but no diagnosis.

Universal retesting is the only way to get everyone, the old, the demented, the complacent, the reckless

Universal retesting is the only way to get everyone, the old, the demented, the complacent, the reckless

Absolutely. Not sure why anyone would be opposed to the idea (assuming we had the infrastructure to actually do it).

The only other way I can see would be reactionary, like we do already with speeding courses. (I think we said this like 4 pages ago.) The issue there though is it could be too late if it’s after a ‘big one.’ But it’d be a step in the right direction at least. Maybe tie it in with licence renewal?

Folk don’t object to retesting, as long as it’s somebody else that’s being retested. Just choose any group or demographic that’s not you.

I would have everyone retested. at 10 year intervals maybe reducing over 70

Yes – in 1990.

The wait time back then was something like six weeks. I don’t imagine that’s changed for the better. I expect also there will be something of a postcode lottery.

try 6 months these days . My test was pre-covid – and i just went for the next available test in Scotland option – i ended up in linlithgow abter 2 months – and with the number of on/off ramps and round about to and from the duellers round there …. i can see why people going for their first test were not keen to use it ….

Trying to get a test in any sizable town or city its wild

Yes – in 1990.

The wait time back then was something like six weeks. I don’t imagine that’s changed for the better. I expect also there will be something of a postcode lottery.

I would have everyone retested. at 10 year intervals maybe reducing over 70

its a nice idea in utopia … .but the implementation of it is challenging …

testing is a captive predictable market with a huge wait list and yet they are still shutting test centres and backlogs are huge…..

testing is a captive predictable market with a huge wait list and yet they are still shutting test centres and backlogs are huge…..

It’s as if no one knows what they are doing….

It’s as if no one knows what they are doing….

well it is government run so its kinda par for the course.

Much like many of the other government run agencies…..

I had a demand from the tax man to do a self assessment this year …. after many paperwork and back and forth …. i was due them 10 british pounds.

Someone wasted more than the 10 quid gained sending me emails , letters and doing the verifying and subsequent relevant paperwork.

Those who advocate retesting:

– how much are you prepared to pay for your retest?

– if you think that is a price worth paying, have you spent the same amount on any “refresher” type training?

Does anyone know of another country that has periodic retests?  Does it reduce accidents?

How does retesting stop you passing the test and driving like a maniac?

I would do complusory dash cams and random review of the memory card, you could at least see how people normally drove.

You could then do focused retesting or prosecution.

Those who advocate retesting:

– how much are you prepared to pay for your retest?

A fair price – whatever it is now?

– if you think that is a price worth paying, have you spent the same amount on any “refresher” type training?

I had some free refresher training on motorbikes from a mate who is an advanced rider – could do with more

Does anyone know of another country that has periodic retests?

I thought both the US and Aus did?  Not at all sure

Does it reduce accidents?

NO idea but logically getting rid of rubbish drivers and making complacent ones think about their driving should do

How does retesting stop you passing the test and driving like a maniac?

We’re going round in circles now, we’ve done this one too. A retest isn’t going to stop people wilfully driving like a tit. Extra training might.

There’s an old joke, a copper pulls over a bloke for speeding. The guy says something like “but there were people overtaking me!” The cop asks whether he ever goes fishing. “Why, yes” he replies. “Do you ever catch all the fish?”

It would require a lot more driving examiners to cover mandatory retesting. My wife is a new driver learner. She applied for a test date in September. After waiting a few months for a test date (remote test centre not full time) she has a date in early January.

They likely took a test 35+ years ago and haven’t looked at The Highway Code ever since, and it changes.

I passed my test in 1990

So 34 years ago then? Time to pick up that Highway Code… 😉

A fair price – whatever it is now?

theory test – £23

weekday practical talent £62

evening or weekend practical test £75

obviously if you don’t actually own a car you’ll need to add rental cost to that too.

seems fair enough to me.   Small price to pay for continuing with a license – less than a tenner a year.

try 6 months these days . My test was pre-covid – and i just went for the next available test in Scotland option – i ended up in linlithgow abter 2 months – and with the number of on/off ramps and round about to and from the duellers round there …. i can see why people going for their first test were not keen to use it ….

Trying to get a test in any sizable town or city its wild

just as well geography wasn’t part of the test!

I’m sure that was funnier in your head but you’ll need to explain it

There’s currently an inhumane assessment process for the disabled and terminally/mwntally unwell administered by ATOS. We could stop that system and have the GP’s refer anyone that presents as cognitively impaired to them for assessment and removal of driving licence.

Everbody wins!

I don’t believe the test availability problem is entirely one of capacity: it’s reported that there’s also a crooked little cottage industry reserving tests in others’ names and then reselling the bookings into the resulting overheated market at a profit.

Reported by whom?

all over media.

all over media.

Pretty sure Watchdog covered it a few months ago, and with kids at driving test age it’s been talked about a few times.

No idea quite how it works though.

@crazy-legs that’s some interesting reporting there. Almost like the car was to blame.

theory test – £23

weekday practical talent £62

evening or weekend practical test £75

obviously if you don’t actually own a car you’ll need to add rental cost to that too.

@poly if you look at theory plus practical that’s not much more than the cost of a passport which also has a 10 year validity.

They should have compulsory eye tests every two years.

The eye tests can also detect tumours, etc.

on a sideline, vehicle number plates should be much larger.

the vehicles registration should also be emblazoned across the vehicles roof (to aid identification by police helicopters).

I’m sure that was funnier in your head but you’ll need to explain it

because there is no test centre in Linlithgow (and hasn’t been in at least the last 30 years) – your description of multiple roundabout, ramps and dual cw it also doesn’t sound like Linlithgow.  Sounds more like Livingston, I think there is a truck but not car test centre there.

@poly if you look at theory plus practical that’s not much more than the cost of a passport which also has a 10 year validity.

But the sheriff in the FAI would likely suggest that a test every 10 yrs is too infrequent for the sort of issue that he was considering.  I wonder how many people would fail a practical test that would pass the theory test (including hazard perception) with perhaps a simple vision test added on?

I thought both the US and Aus did?  Not at all sure

tj – I can’t find any country who make you retake your practical test periodically.  The US seems particularly unlikely given their relationship with driving.  What they may do is require a medical, but I can’t see anywhere that needs an actual driving test.

all over media.

Seems convincing.

on a sideline, vehicle number plates should be much larger.

Why?

the vehicles registration should also be emblazoned across the vehicles roof (to aid identification by police helicopters).

I watch quite a lot of these ‘police interceptor’ type videos when there’s nowt better to do. I’ve yet to see one where the helicopter has failed to identify a vehicle.

because there is no test centre in Linlithgow (and hasn’t been in at least the last 30 years) – your description of multiple roundabout, ramps and dual cw it also doesn’t sound like Linlithgow.  Sounds more like Livingston

Glad you pointed out a 6 mile difference. I was 130 miles away from home I’ll not quibble over 6 miles. Especially as I did start the day in Linlithgow with the instructor.

Universal retesting is the only way to get everyone, the old, the demented, the complacent, the reckless

Theres no point, society is happy to have  5ish road related deaths a day which will come out of the usual 1,600ish people that die every day.

The numbers just don’t work to make it an issue because in numbers land it’s not an issue and the current testing system is fine.

If there was wholesale carnage on the roads then obvs it would be a good idea.

There is wholesale carnage on the roads – its just as you say become normalised.