OT: State of licensing in the US, How hard is it where you live? Options

[lapuwali]

Howard's thread about the consequences of not teaching teens how to drive got me wondering.

I went through the whole driver training ritual in 1980, so I have no idea what the current state of driver training is in the US. Texas (where I learned) had a pretty good program. Run in the high school, mandatory, with both driving classes, textbook classes, and an interesting interactive movie.

I'm told that most high schools don't have driver's ed anymore, due to cost-cutting. Is this true nationwide, or only here in California? Is it even true in all of California? I see "Student Driver" cars from time to time (saw one this morning), and I'm sure it's not mandatory. I presume this is strictly a private, voluntary thing?

I also know Europe is much stricter than here. I'm familiar with the UK testing system, how's the system in Germany (Andy?), or Austria (Gustl?), or the Netherlands (Yaroooon?).

Getting anyone to pay for better training in the US is probably politically impossible, though it strikes me that perhaps having the insurance companies help out here by offering a substantial discount from the usual outrageous teen driver rates for those teens who complete an accredited course sounds sensible to me.

[mudfoot76]

QUOTE (srbliss @ Jan 5 2006, 11:14 AM)

Like Andy said - it is way to easy to get a licence here in Kalifornia. Pick your language you would like the test in or just use the "picture" test.

I don't believe that the Indiana DMV has translated our "test" into Spanish, but the English version is so easy you don't have to be literate to pass it (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/dry.gif) Knowing how easy it is, I am astounded that someone who fails the written portion is able to keep themselves breathing...

Lots of uninsured motorists out here too -- and not just the migrants. Which is doubly strange considering it is state law you show proof of insurance to register a vehicle??

We could eject all the illegals like previously mentioned, or convin$$e a politician to make the rules more difficult for earning a liscense, but I don't think that addresses the root cause of all the problems. To me, it seems that too many people believe they have been duly endowned with an inalienable right to drive when it actually is a privilidge. Not until that mindset is changed can we do anything about the other troubles. Not sure about Cali, but here if you get arrested for DUI, on your first offence your lisence is suspended for only 30 days!! We have no vehicle inspections (those who have them mandatory may feel differently on this) to keep the junkers off the road. Just this morning, I had to avoid a muffler that fell of a POS on the interstate. Big trucks are driving around with tires that have more cord showing than tread. Monster trucks that have no bumpers and no functional brake or indicator lights.

It would be nice if the insurance companies, or DMV, would start an effort that would at least require new drivers to have some sort of road safety training. Also include how to use a tire pressure gauge, check oil/fluid levels, etc. Heck, the insurance companies could probably make huge piles of $$$$ charging for these sessions to all of their new driver customers (if the whole industry can agree amongst themselves).

Oh well, just my $.02 (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beer.gif)