Is it too easy to get a license?

[FilmCamera]

Originally posted by: PaperclipGod

Originally posted by: FilmCamera
A permit is not a license. You have to take an actual driving test to get your license. And you are supposed to log a certain number of hours driving with the permit with another licensed driver, preferrably a parent.

Yes, i realize this... but driving for 6 months with a parent in the car (and always driving like you're an angel) doesn't prepare someone for a life of unsupervised driving. Especially not a teenage life of unsupervised driving.

Seemed to work fine for me. I learned how to drive doing that, and I haven't had any problems.

 

[animalia]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: rikadik
I live in the UK and I've been told it's ridiculously easy to get a driver's license in the US. Can someone please tell me what you actually have to do to pass? I'm quite interested.

It depends. You can just go down and take the test when you are a certain age (between 15 and 17, depending on the state). I am not sure what EXACTLY that entails. An alternative in most states is to take a drivers education course which rolls education and the test together. Here you take a ~50 hour course and then drive with the instructor in the car until he is satisfied. You then take your completion slip to the DMV.

what? no. the only time you can just go take the test is when you are 18. if you want your license earlier than that you have to take drivers education and then take the test.

 

[animalia]

so as soon as you turn 21 you can drive? hey look I'm twenty one now. grab some beeer and let's drive to new hampshire.

 

[buzzsaw13]

Originally posted by: Captante
It entails a 15 to 20 question written test, consisting of questions pretty much quoted word-for-word from the study manual & then a "road test" consisting of a short & very easy drive around the immediate area of the DMV, culminating in the dreaded parallel parking test (gasp!) ... stopping at stop signs & lights plus obeying the speed limit virtually garantees passage.

In short, yes its far too easy to get a drivers liscense in the USA.

Parking test HAH! I'm pretty sure California doesn't even require you to do a parking test, I sure didn't.

 

[Bibble]

The process is different depending on what state you are in. In some southern states, you can get a license when you are 16 (or even 15 i think). The only state's I know for sure is NJ, because I went through the process there. These are the steps I did to earn a full license (I don't believe all of them are mandatory).

1. Take a 20ish hour defense drive class. It was all theory, no actual driving was done. <---I don't think this is mandatory.
2. Take and pass the written test, which is where questions like "If a school bus stops with its sign out, is it ok to pass it by driving slowly on the sidewalk?" appear. <---mandatory
3. Turn 16. <--mandatory
4. Drive for 6 hours with a certified instructor. It was in a special car where he had a brake on his side. <----pretty sure this is mandatory.
5. Get your learner's permit by going to the DMV with your instructor. This allows you to drive with anyone who has had a full license for 3 years and is 21 or over (usually a parent).
6. Wait six months or turn 17, whichever comes later (supposedly practicing during this time). <---mandatory
7. Go to the DMV and take/pass the practical test. This entails turning properly with signals, stopping, following speed limits, k-turns, u-turns, parking, parking on a hill, and parallel parking. If you fail, you have to wait 2 weeks before taking it again. If you fail 3 times consecutively, you must wait 6 months.*
8. Once you pass, you show the DMV people a bunch of identification (birth certificate, social security card, visa, school id, etc) and get your restricted license. This allows you to drive alone between 5 am and midnight. No more than one person outside of your immediate family may be in the car during this period.**
9. Wait 1 year.
10. Go to the DMV with proper ID and get your full license. No test of any kind is done here.

*I failed twice and passed on my third attempt. Parallel parking screwed me both times. I have yet to ever be in an accident or be pulled over and consider myself to be an excellent driver.
**I think this is the key step and why NJ's process is probably one of the best. Allowing only one friend/distracting person int he car with a new driver makes it possible for the driver to concentrate on driving properly. It also prevents kids from driving during a time where they will probably be more inclined to screw around.

And remember, when it comes to defensive driving, the best defense is a great offense.

 

[Injury]

Too bad that America is one of the few countries where being able to drive is a necessity, outside of most of the big cities.

 

[rikadik]

That does sound like the test isn't as demanding as it could be.

In the UK first there is a theory test which is in two parts: a 35 question written test and then a hazard perception test. On the hazard perception test you sit in front of a screen and watch a video of the view from a car as it drives around. You have to click when you see a developing hazard and get rated on your reactions and awareness of the dangers on the road.

Once you've done that you do the practical test which lasts about an hour. In this you drive around the local area but if possible are always taken onto a dual-carriageway. During the test I think you have to do at least three of the following: emergency stop, parallel park, reverse around a corner, three-point turn in road, park in a bay etc... They're pretty strict on these manoeuvers, for example if you parallel park more than a foot from the kerb, hit the kerb or not do all the proper mirror checks you fail. You also have to answer some questions they ask you on the day such as how to check the oil, check the brakes aren't worn out, test the headlights, change washer fluid and so forth.

I reckon the test is at about the right level. The test in the US does seem pretty straightforward in comparison!

Edit: but maybe not in New Jersey.

 

[SketchMaster]

Originally posted by: rikadik
I live in the UK and I've been told it's ridiculously easy to get a driver's license in the US. Can someone please tell me what you actually have to do to pass? I'm quite interested.

Try you best not to kill anything. Thats it.

When I took the driving test I think all you had to get was 70 out of 100, thats allot of mistakes. I was embarrassed that I got two things marked, though one of them was forgivable since it was caused by poor road markings.

 

[mondobyte]

A driver's license and insurance should be the prerequisite for driving.

Look at how many unlicensed and uninsured drivers are on the road. They don't bother themselves with driving tests or defensive driving. Many have had licenses revoked or suspended due to DUI, DWI, reckless driving, no insurance ... and yet ... they drive on. Look at the number of illegal aliens on the road - most can't reador speak ENGLISH let alone get a valid driver's license and insurance.

If the driver test is too difficult, people will just drive anyway.

Too bad we can't weed the truly irresponsible off the streets.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: IGBT
..I'd raise the driving age to 21 and ban all DUI's from ever driving again. Drivers are technically machine operators. And their machines are in operation around other machine operators and pedestrians. Ya don't want drunks or children behind the wheel.

I think that would be a mistake also.

I started driving at 14. My mother could not drive due to health reasons. Since we lived in a area with no public transpertation. Since her and my dad were divorced she didn't have a ride.

So i was able to get a permit to drive with her in the car to shopping, and emergency's. but i did have to pass a test. Also any ticket i would lose the privilege.

by the time i hit 16 and got my full license i was a far better driver then any of my friends. the one ticket i got at 16 i could have fought and should have won. but being 16 my dad just paid it.

I think kids need a harder course of drivers ed. maybe instead of a semester have it a full year. with a LOT more driving time. Here in IL its is a requirement (well was when i was in high school). last i heard they reduced the amount of driving time the school will give and increased the amount the family does. with some that is not going to work.

 

[vizkiz]

I damn near aced my drivers test. I got a couple points off for being too far from the curb when parallel parking, which they are supposed to give you a chance to straighten the car/finish parking before they grade you on it, like any normal person who would correct it before getting out of the car. I was like a foot from the curb, she said it was too far and docked me for it.

 

[animalia]

you all are also forgetting that in drivers ed you receive driving intruction while driving.

 

[pontifex]

i think you should have to take the driver's test every so many years, preferably when you have to renew your license.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: pontifex
i think you should have to take the driver's test every so many years, preferably when you have to renew your license.

QFT. We all know that older drivers have a tendancy to never be aware of their surroundings. Unfortunately, it is mainly people of this age who vote, so this will never be passed.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Originally posted by: PaperclipGod

Originally posted by: Rebasxer
Money, if everyone had to take defensive driving course a lot of people couldn't get the license. Those kind of course require trained professionals, not the rejects that typically work in driving schools.

So subsidize it... besides, im sure the cost per student would be a lot lower when you had thousands of people taking it.

So subsidize it that's always a great solution to every problem isn't it?

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Originally posted by: I Saw OJ
I think its a good idea, it would weed out a lot of bad drivers. I believe thats the way it is in Germany, they have extensive training and tests before you can get your license.

Yes, In Germany it is very difficult to get your license. It requires hours and hours of professional instruction and the penalties for breaking the laws there are incredibly harsh. You can get your license permanently revoked for a DUI depending on the circumstances.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: I Saw OJ

Originally posted by: vizkiz
If you think it's easy, what is that saying about the people that fail.
I dated a girl that failed it 3 times before she passed it on the 4th attempt

If you cant pass after 3 times you shouldnt get a license, period.

qft. driver's tests are a joke. we seriously need much more stringent rules about who can get a license and who can't.

I agree, did you ever notice how the driver's test doesn't involve any freeway driving? It's all green light, red light driving.

 

[linkgoron]

Originally posted by: OVerLoRDI

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: I Saw OJ

Originally posted by: vizkiz
If you think it's easy, what is that saying about the people that fail.
I dated a girl that failed it 3 times before she passed it on the 4th attempt

If you cant pass after 3 times you shouldnt get a license, period.

qft. driver's tests are a joke. we seriously need much more stringent rules about who can get a license and who can't.

I agree, did you ever notice how the driver's test doesn't involve any freeway driving? It's all green light, red light driving.

Freeway? That's probably the easiest thing to do on the road.
It's much harder actually driving in the cities, in narrow roads and sharp turns.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Originally posted by: rikadik
I live in the UK and I've been told it's ridiculously easy to get a driver's license in the US. Can someone please tell me what you actually have to do to pass? I'm quite interested.

When you are 15 you can start taking drivers ED. Where they basically tell you to drive in the right lane and use your blinker and not to tailgate. At 15 and a half you can take a permit test which is a written test of about 20 questions that ask about stop signs, traffic signals, school buses and other obvious things. When you pass you get a permit, which allows you to drive with I believe any licensed driver over the age of 25, but basically it means driving with your parents. At 16 you get to take an on the road test where they ask you to basically drive around town and show you know right from left, and green from red. Once you are done with that you get a driver's license and with that you can go and drive wherever you please. Depending on the state you aren't allowed to transport people under the age of 25 and drive after midnight for the first 6 months to a year.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Originally posted by: linkgoron

Originally posted by: OVerLoRDI

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: I Saw OJ

Originally posted by: vizkiz
If you think it's easy, what is that saying about the people that fail.
I dated a girl that failed it 3 times before she passed it on the 4th attempt

If you cant pass after 3 times you shouldnt get a license, period.

qft. driver's tests are a joke. we seriously need much more stringent rules about who can get a license and who can't.

I agree, did you ever notice how the driver's test doesn't involve any freeway driving? It's all green light, red light driving.

Freeway? That's probably the easiest thing to do on the road.
It's much harder actually driving in the cities, in narrow roads and sharp turns.

That is true but I find it stupid that they leave it out considering the fact that people seem to develop a fear of merging.

Edit: Give YoYo back his avatar

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: PaperclipGod
Soon after i got my actual license, my parents made me take a defensive driving course at limerock park in CT. Let me tell you... THAT is what a driving school should be. They teach you to learn the limits of your vehicle, how it reacts in different conditions, how to recover from slides, etc. They teach you the psychology of other drivers and how to most efficiently scan traffic while driving.

16 year olds should be learning the limits of themselves, not their cars. 16 year olds should never need to know the limits of their cars, because they should never approach the limits of their cars.

You are a complete and utter moron.

Thank you for the well-though reply, but I will have to disagree.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: OVerLoRDI

Originally posted by: rikadik
I live in the UK and I've been told it's ridiculously easy to get a driver's license in the US. Can someone please tell me what you actually have to do to pass? I'm quite interested.

When you are 15 you can start taking drivers ED. Where they basically tell you to drive in the right lane and use your blinker and not to tailgate. At 15 and a half you can take a permit test which is a written test of about 20 questions that ask about stop signs, traffic signals, school buses and other obvious things. When you pass you get a permit, which allows you to drive with I believe any licensed driver over the age of 25, but basically it means driving with your parents. At 16 you get to take an on the road test where they ask you to basically drive around town and show you know right from left, and green from red. Once you are done with that you get a driver's license and with that you can go and drive wherever you please.

I don't believe that's true for every state.

 

[PaperclipGod]

Originally posted by: FilmCamera
Seemed to work fine for me. I learned how to drive doing that, and I haven't had any problems.

But that's just you. Surely you've noticed that there are a LOT of bad drivers on the road, right?

And further, if everyone was trained to a higher degree, we'd be able to safely increase speed limits. As it is, cars are easily capable of safely cruising at 85mph on todays highways, peoples driving skills just aren't great enough to allow it.

 

[PaperclipGod]

Originally posted by: OVerLoRDI

So subsidize it that's always a great solution to every problem isn't it?

No, but considering the returns (lives saved, reduced insurance premiums, faster highway speeds) its one of the best investments we could make.