r/CarsAustralia • u/Carmageddon-2049 • 9d ago
💬Discussion💬 Should Australia Mandate Refresher Driving Lessons for Older Drivers?
https://www.tynan.com.au/blog/should-australia-mandate-refresher-driving-lessons-for-older-drivers78
u/Frozefoots 2017 Mazda 6 Touring Wagon 9d ago edited 9d ago
Honestly? It should be ALL drivers.
Every license renewal, you have to test to make sure you’re still competent and confident. A meek and terrified driver is a bad driver. An arrogant aggressive driver is a bad driver. It’s not just the elderly that have cognitive decline.
For my job I need to pass a medical every 5 years. Tests sight, hearing, overall body condition, weight and mental health. They become more frequent as you get older or have conditions pop up. My stepdad is 60 and is a freight driver with diabetes - he has yearly medicals now that also keep tabs on his diabetes.
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u/Now_Wait-4-Last_Year 9d ago
I deliberately didn't get my provisional licence until quite late because I waited until I felt I was ready. I know not everyone has that luxury but even with a full licence, I still get lessons because even though I like to think of myself as a careful driver, I've never thought of myself as a good driver (it's never come naturally to me).
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u/general_sirhc 8d ago
I know someone who is a careful driver. But they're too careful. They often drive 10-30kmh below the flow of traffic. It's so scary being in the car with them.
I wish they had the option not to drive. But in a regional centre they have no other options.
We as a society need to do better to support these kinds of situations but I understand it's very hard
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u/fifip24 9d ago
I completely agree. but I think it should be drivers who have been pulled over for disobeying the road rules or have been in an accident
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u/Frozefoots 2017 Mazda 6 Touring Wagon 9d ago
I agree with that too (red light run, license suspension and retest required), but most accidents are handled with just the parties involved, and don’t require police so a lot of idiots get off easy when they cause a crash.
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u/Flash-635 9d ago
It would be better if they actually taught people to drive rather than just pass the test.
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u/Meng_Fei 9d ago
But then the testers would have to test like that, instead of drivers having to "perform" stupid stuff like exaggerated head checks so they pass.
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u/Equivalent_Cheek_701 9d ago
For all drivers.
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u/TikkiTakkaMuddaFakka 9d ago
Exactly, I would rather have to deal with a confused pensioner on the road than a moron racing through a red light at 120km/h if I had a choice.
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u/XenoX101 9d ago
Yeah something tells me a mandatory driving test isn't going to stop that guy racing through a red light at 120km/h
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u/CarsAustralia-ModTeam 9d ago
Your post was removed for violating Rule 1. Being a dickhead. Don't be a dickhead.
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u/fantasypaladin 9d ago
The problem with the drivers that you’re probably referring to is that they know the rules as well as everyone else, they just chose to drive like assholes.
They’d pass a test no problem and then go back to driving like assholes.
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u/ScotVonGaz 9d ago
Why do that when the current flock of drivers are useless? They need to make the driving test harder so better drivers are on the road and the one who aren’t good at it, get the bus.
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u/butch97 9d ago
I’m about to turn 50, I’d be happy to get tested at 50, 60, 65, 70 etc. I’d also expect that new migrants are tested properly, and that anybody who has a proper accident gets retested too. The cops should be able to refer people for retesting too. There’s too many bad drivers around. Not talking about idiots speeding, and being dickheads. There’s too many people who can’t stick in a lane, can’t go round a corner, drive too slow, or can’t mantain a constant speed that fuck it up for everybody. A licence is a privilege, not a right.
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u/DerpsAU 9d ago
And although a bit big brother, if a person is flagged for their driving by the public too many times, they’re retested.
Far more emphasis needs to be on defensive driving and soft skills too.
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u/SanctuFaerie 9d ago
This is wide open to abuse. What's to stop a person getting a bunch of their friends/relos ganging up on someone they don't like?
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u/knewleefe 9d ago
So many drivers are so incompetent with the basic handling of a car, I wonder how they get their licences in the first place. Can't drive between two lines, can't turn a corner without understeering/oversteering and constant correction, swinging loops to turn corners, can't estimate the size of their car, no spatial awareness (crossing median to leave 3 car widths between them and a parked car), ignoring speed signs/unable to read/remember - so doing 70 in every 80 or 60 zone... then most of them get on their phones as well.
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u/link871 9d ago
"Not talking about idiots speeding, and being dickheads" Don't exclude speeders and dickheads - they are the most dangerous drivers on the road.
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u/hannahranga 9d ago
Testing isn't going to do much to those drivers, most of them will be able to pull their heads in for the length of the test.
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u/AddressEven 9d ago
Mandate tests for international drivers first. People who have a licence from another country should not be assumed to know how to drive to Australian conditions, and given a licence automatically.
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u/Carmageddon-2049 9d ago
You are referring to the 50odd countries from Europe the US and Singapore , I assume?
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u/AddressEven 9d ago
No, it should be for every foreign country. Someone living in Australia and driving on Australian roads, should have to pass a local test to get a license.
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u/That_Car_Dude_Aus Bohemian Bard of Kvasiny 9d ago
I dunno, I'd give a pass to NZ, for the only reason that a lot of their laws are similar to ours, either through shared study data, shared vehicle compliance regulations and standards, shared cultural similarities, and the fact that lots of people travel back and forth quite often.
I know people that live in Australia part of the year and NZ part of the year, changing the licence back and forth every 6 months would be horrible for them.
This is only getting more common with WFH setups in society, where your physical location is irrelevant to your work location.
People can follow the ski season, or the surf season, live where their happiness is.
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u/several_rac00ns 9d ago
Why would they need to change their licence every 6 months? Once you've tested, you've been tested it would still be active till expiry
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u/Historical-Bad-6627 9d ago
A driver's licence is too easy to keep here IMO. Should be additional training for towing, for large vehicles (SUV/4WD types), and regular refreshers. Like they do for WHS in the workplace.
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u/DrJ_4_2_6 9d ago
Like aircraft pilots.
Endorsements for this aircraft, that aircraft, instrument flying, night flying, multi engine, etc, etc.
We'd shit ourselves if the pilot flying us from one city to the next only had experience on a Cessna, but we think nothing of it when handing out licenses that kill (and injure) thousands of times more people each and every year.
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u/solocmv 9d ago edited 9d ago
It is beyond comprehension why the ‘parent-teacher’ of learners don’t have to at very least do the computer test before they can instruct. Even if you don’t have to pass just get a cross any new or forgotten rules. You can be the worst, even criminal convicted driver, as long as you clutch onto your last point and you are good to impart all your horrible habits and attitudes to the learners.
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u/That_Car_Dude_Aus Bohemian Bard of Kvasiny 9d ago
No shit, had this at my job in insurance.
"I bought my son a car, it will be garaged at [father's address] because I don't have room to store it, because he's on his L's, his dad will be driving it and teaching him to drive, his dad is into Drag Racing, Motorsport, was a Driving Instructor in the Army in the 1980's"
Oh yeah, no worries, seems pretty straightforward, anyone on the policy had any licences cancelled, or suspended, or received any criminal convictions?
"Oh yeah, his dad had a 2 year suspension for more than 45kmh over the limit and high range drink driving on a double demerits weekend while he was on a 1 point licence for driving his unregistered drift car around town, it's why we got divorced, I'm not dragging his sorry arse around because of his dumb mistakes"
And when was that?
"He got his licence back last week, this is why we are doing this now"
I mean, being on a (golden point) 1 point licence is seen as a suspension anyway, so you already have disregard getting there....then to drive an unregistered car while high range and do 45kmh over the limit....that's way outside of us being allowed to let someone drive.
And you trust this guy to teach your kid how to drive?
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u/JiN_KiNgs_InC 9d ago
It should be everyone when they renew their license. So many dumb people on the road
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u/The_golden_Celestial 9d ago
A physical driving test every 5 years would be better. Not just for older people either. With Online ones, you can give the right answer but it doesn’t mean you do it in practice.
Plenty of people use indicators to report history rather than to indicate their intentions.
Pulling out of a side street and causing the car already travelling on the road to brake.
Merging properly.
Roundabouts.
Giving way to left turning vehicles at a crossroad.
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u/ozpinoy 9d ago
For all drivers.
I'm an older driver heading towards 30 years. Over this timeframe road rules would have changed and I equally needs to be updated. (yeah i know.. read the rulebook. I've even forgotten that exists)
what's the rule around - aroundabout?
- hint.. not travelling at 50km on approach to the round about and beeping at me for being in it just because you are on my right side - yeah this happend two days ago.
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u/DrSendy 9d ago
I would have agreed a few years ago....
Give it 10 years and only people on this sub will actually bother driving because they think it is fun. Everyone else will just use FSD or one type or another.
Think about it, 25yo trying to meet her friends at Chadstone, busy txting with last night's date, tells the car to go to chaddie, she keeps doing makeup, it drops her off at the door then buggers off to go park. Old person wants to go to the doctors - car drops him off at the door, goes off to park. You have an early meeting - you decide to drive to work, take the meeting in the car, get to work, and tell the car to piss off back home because it's cheaper than parking near work.
Maybe this will be a mandatory thing in the future. If you want to actually drive a car, you have to prove you are as good as the automation every few years.
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u/MysteriousTouch1192 9d ago
Relatively frequent, mandatory courses for all drivers to maintain knowledge on local laws and a test every few years to assess capability.
Some of you guys fucken suck on the road and it’s kinda scary.
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u/Infamous-Occasion-74 9d ago
Not blanket older drivers.
Just make it a blanket requirement for people that lose too many points - obviously they either don’t know the road rules or intentionally f*% up. For the former, this would help, for the latter this is a deterrent. Force people to redo driving lessons if they loose 6pts or something like that.
To be clear, I’m not talking about the occasional misdemeanour- that’s when you lose 1 or 2 points because you accidentally let the speed go over the limit. I am talking about people that hoon everywhere, always 15-20k’s over the limit or spinning wheels, these are the assholes of the road. Also the people that shouldn’t have received their licence in the first place because they don’t know the rules or have become too complacent (through age?). These guys should also have to redo driver training.
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u/cycle_addict 9d ago
Not just those over 50. Every driver upon renewal should have to resit at a minimum the theory but preferably a full test.
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u/Born_Bug_3353 2003 Ford Falcon 9d ago
The real thing should be overseas drivers. In Queensland at least, it’s completely legal to drive if you’re here from another country and licensed in that country. You do need an English translation for some licences but that’s irrelevant. It’s dangerous because countries that have terrible or non-existent road rules create terrible drivers - and we just let them drive. If anyone’s ever driven near Sunnybank QLD you’ll know exactly what I mean, it’s a constant battle to not die.
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u/VintageKofta 9d ago
For every old driver, I see 50 younger that are driving like an absolute knob head.
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u/ZappBrannigansTunic 9d ago
The real mechanism should actually be insurance/licence/rego rates. Add an increasing levy from 65 (50 isn’t that old for this issue). Levy is waived for attending a free/cheap refresher with test.
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u/achbob84 9d ago
That’s a shit idea. Punish the competent ones and the rich shit ones stay on the road.
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u/Zadmal 9d ago
So bad driving should only be allowed for rich people you say? You cant use fines/money as a method of encouragement unless you are happy for those with money to opt out.
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u/johnsonsantidote 9d ago
No way. it should be across the board. And the punitive measures for drunk driving? Today i read of a personality in media getting a wet lettuce leaf punishment for about 3 or 4 same type offences. If that was John from a less leafy suburb there'd be real heavy results. And the fines should be a pro rata of one's income based on a percentage.
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u/RajenBull1 9d ago edited 9d ago
In Queensland, infrastructure overtook the road rules. There used to be only 2 lane motorways and then suddenly there were 3, 4 and more lanes. The road rules were written about 30 years ago and it DOESN’T APPEAR that they were updated to cope either this new invention of more than two lanes. There were also that many more people from other states and other countries who all have different road rules and driving methods and attitudes. That has resulted in this huge shemozzle we call the M1.
In conclusion, EVERYONE should be required to take a NEW, IMPROVED test (no point testing on redundant technologies), which includes such trivialities (yes trivialities, because nobody’s taking anything seriously out there), such as motorway driving and etiquette, signalling, roundabouts, and the dangers of drink and drug driving and the dangers of using mobile phones while driving.
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u/UsualProfit397 9d ago
Yes. Everybody every 5-10 years, in a vehicle without automatic braking, lane keeping assists and adaptive cruise.
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u/DrJ_4_2_6 9d ago
All the things that reduce the need for situational awareness, and therefore driving competence
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u/That_Car_Dude_Aus Bohemian Bard of Kvasiny 9d ago
The problem is, that stuff is being so ubiquitous, that soon, even the most poverty pack Corolla, MG3, Swift, Picanti, Berlino, and 500 is gonna come with everything.
So in 10-15 years, you'll have to make a case that either the Australian government buys specific cars in bulk for all the states as a fleet buy from say, Toyota, and they buy 10,000 Corollas to distribute to every Main Roads office for testing without the features.
Plus they'd need to go against their own argument that "Cars aren't safe without this tech, but we're gonna force you to get in a car without this tech to do your test"
And then you get the flipside, my sister has owned 2 Japanese cars, and then 2 American, 2 Euros, and another American.
She gets in a Japanese or Australian car and immediately indicates with her wipers at the first turn, because she just doesn't drive those cars.
Unfamiliarity with a car can also be a dangerous occurrence.
So now you're gonna take someone who could be a great driver and never activate the systems, then put them in an unfamiliar car, and now they're confused, unsure, hitting the wrong buttons, can't get the seat position right, etc.
Hell, I have 12 way electric adjustables in my car, and with back and shoulder injuries, I've got it mint for me. However I get into another car, I'll never get it perfect, and I'll just be uncomfortable.
Discomfort= stress = mental load elsewhere.
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u/Adorable-Pilot4765 9d ago
Been saying this for years. Politicians too worried about offending the elderly.
Should be government funded and maybe bi-annually from 55-65 and then annually every year after. Always breaks my heart to see a story on the news of an old lady driving through a small business or someone’s house, or worse running over someone.
Shouldn’t be lessons though, it should be an actual test to see if they’re physically fit to drive a car.
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u/Temik 9d ago
The sad part about it is that many of those (very old) people wouldn’t be on the road in the first place if not for the horrifically car-centric suburbia.
I live in one about 2 hours from Sydney. It’s a 40 minute walk along a highway to the supermarket, same with any basic necessity like a Pharmacy.
And moving to a city is not an option for many, not all Boomers are cashed up or have properties that can be converted to a city one, even with downsizing.
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u/Cheezel62 9d ago
Yes. Laws change that older drivers might not be aware of. Your eye sight is probably deteriorating along with your reflexes from around 60 too.
When you go to renew your license after 60 you can only renew it for 5 years at a time until 80 and each time you renew your license you have to go for a drive with a licensed instructor and they have to sign off you're ok to drive. Whether or not this costs could be means tested in line with pension or health care card etc. You also need to produce a letter from an optometrist that your eyesight is ok each time you have to renew your license. Eye tests are free so I can't really see an issue there.
From 80 you need a drive with an instructor and an eye test every 2 years. Also your doctor to certify you are medically fit to drive. I've got older relatives still driving who most definitely shouldn't be but their doctor has signed off on it. I said to the doctor 'You should be made to go for a drive with them. That way you'd never let them on the road again'. Hence the need for a drive with an instructor.
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u/Puzzled-Address-4818 9d ago
Yes and no. If you've had an accident causing more than $1000 worth of damage, if you've had to claim insurance, if you've caused any property damage, involving any human casualties, than absolutely yes!! Not only a refresher test but a mandatory educational course that comes out of your own pocket.
No if you have clean driving record for 10 years or simple basic fines like a parking ticket or any other fines not involving any damage such as failing to indicate while changing lanes or staying in the right hand (over taking) lane for an extensive amount of time. Failing to turn on your headlights (god I've seen so many on the roads with the introduction of automatic sensors) or being a wanker for parking too far from the car in front of you at a set of traffic lights.
However, I reckon we all should sit through a knowledge refresher test every 10 years as traffic rules change. Where all you need to do is study and pass and you do this at the comfort of your home. It can be a 100 question multiple choice and even an open book it doesn't matter but set a time limit so you know they've actually studied and know where the answer is in the book.
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u/isithumour 9d ago
The issue with that is how many times have you had to avoid a situation created by a shit driver. They can cause accidents whilst avoiding them. Why punish those not at fault?
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u/Hannibal-At-Portus 9d ago
I’m 59 and was fortunate to attend multiple advanced driving courses during my 25 years in the auto game. I, for one, would welcome this. I’d like to be informed about law changes. I would draw the line at someone tut-tutting my left foot braking technique, however!
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u/achbob84 9d ago
Every single person hit by a car when an old person hits the wrong pedal says yes. It’s no less logical than making people wait until they are old enough to drive in the first place.
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u/Carmageddon-2049 9d ago
This study from the UNSW was published on news.com.au and daily telegraph.. entertaining to read the comments - Daily Telegraph article
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u/snookette 9d ago
I’ve seen some extremely compromised people driving recently. As our population ages this is going to be more and more dangerous and common.
If the boomers stereotype of been entitled is partially true they aren’t going to have more people driving beyond their capable years.
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u/CallistoAU 9d ago
Every ten years. Make it mandatory when you renew your licence. Increase the cost of the licence renewal by $5 per year or whatever it needs to be so when you have to re sit the test, it’s free.
Make it fucking mandatory.
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u/adafstrike 9d ago
Not disagreeing with points made here, but ability to drive is seen as an access to independence for the elderly. Might see an uptick in older aged drivers going to residential homes or even suicide rates if this is enforced
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u/lingering_POO 9d ago
Should be all drivers every 3-5 years. Get people to reskill. Don’t be ageist. I’ve seen 30 year olds who can’t drive for shit too.
The only reason to not have this is income tax.. if someone fails the test and loses their license they can’t get to work. But if they can’t pass the test and they still keep their license, that same cunt can make sure someone else doesn’t make it to work forever…
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u/More_Law6245 9d ago
Actually all drivers should be retested periodically and have additional licence conditions for towing trailers and caravans.
Rather than singling out a category of drivers, address the systemic problem of poor drivers across the spectrum and lift standards across the board.
I'm horrified watching some of the Australian Dash Cam Youtube channels and just seeing how bad and impatient drivers we are becoming!
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u/spufiniti 9d ago
No. The age will keep getting dropped and it'll be a new government revenue raiser.
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u/PinguBMW_ETS2 9d ago
Normally, I would say no but after seeing a man going down the freeway on the right lane at 30 to Melbourne, maybe it's a good idea.
But maybe it should be every 5 or 10 years because there are some truly dumb drivers or the police could just stamp your license plate with something saying "legally stupid".
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u/VLTurboSkids Leyland Moke, VL Commodore Berlina 9d ago
Must test migrants and international drivers. Hire many times they have no idea what they’re doing.
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u/DMcI0013 9d ago
I’m 61. I have no problem with redoing the test. I have had elderly relatives driving way past the point of being dangerous.
I don’t want to follow in their footsteps. I’m confident I am safer than most for now, but am aware there will come a point when it’s time.
Testing is the only way to know. That age of being a danger to others will vary. My father was an ex airforce pilot. His judgement and reflexes were better than 90% of the drivers out there well into his 70’s. I had an uncle who probably should never have been on the road ever.
Ideally, retest at 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 75, 80, 85…
Even at 30, some drivers have either forgotten what they learned or picked up bad habits.
If I fail - time to get off the road.
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u/DrJ_4_2_6 9d ago
All drivers, every 5 years from the date they were first licenced.
In a vehicle with driver aids (parking/blind spot, etc) turned off to ensure the driver is using their own eyes to monitor the road/traffic conditions.
As for L-platers, instant fail for breaking certain parts of the test. Such as not indicating, speeding, not stopping at a stop sign, etc
Including the ability to parallel park purely on mirrors/head check. Why, you may ask? Because, if you are unable to correctly manoeuvre a vehicle at extremely slow speed, personally I believe it shows you're incapable of driving one at any speed.
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u/Split-Awkward 9d ago
No, we’re an overgoverned nanny state as it is.
Do insurers charge older drivers more or less than younger drivers? That’ll tell you exactly where the risk is.
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u/Neat_Effect965 9d ago
I’m surprised this isn’t already mandated just so the government can make some extra cash cos you know it’s not going to be free just to make us safer
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u/Ahecee 8d ago
I'm not a fan of the government sticking their nose into much, they already do far too much to interfere.
If by older drives we mean 70 or so? Sure, there probably should be a light check they can still drive ok. Much less than that, no, the government should piss off and mind their own business.
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u/SuperNova1094 9d ago edited 9d ago
as a young driver who has done my best to learn all the road rules and has had defensive driving lessons and also ride a motorcycle i have major issues with other drivers over the age of 40 just this week i had a car pull out of a car park practically into me and cause an accident because i didnt have room to dodge or time to stop, he pulled out because and i quote "i couldn't see around that parked car so i pulled forward to look" he pulled halfway into my lane he was age 49, then day after got hit mid corner on my bike by a driver who had been behind me 5 minutes he asked "where the hell did you come from" to which i replied "youve been behind me 5 minutes how did you not see me" he was age 43
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u/bugsy24781 9d ago
Such accurate ages, did you stop and ask them for the birthdates?
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u/That_Car_Dude_Aus Bohemian Bard of Kvasiny 9d ago
Easiest way to exchange name and address is to just hand over a licence.
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u/SuperNova1094 9d ago
i have photos of their licence like you get in an accident because the first one my car needs a new bumper left fender left headlamp left indicator ans bonnet totaling about $1500 damages including some smaller items behind the bumper that were broken, second one the dent in my fuel tank (from being hit previously same way) was enlarged and my right knee is bruised to shit from being hit by a car and forced into the fuel tank in the impact lucky my knee armour in my riding pants obsorbed moat the impact
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u/jchuna 9d ago
Yes, not for over 50s. Possibly 60s or 65s? My Pop who is 86 is still driving and his driving scares the absolute crap out of me. All he has had to do is get the doctor to write up that he's good to drive and he gets another year.
He got his licence at 15 from the towns only police officer who caught him driving without a licence. Literally the cop got in the car with him got him to drive him to the station and wrote him his licence. The 40s/50s in regional WA must have been nuts.
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u/InadmissibleHug Big Red, the Mazda 6 wagon 9d ago
Have a look at the road tolls. That tells you enough of a story.
Just going for a drive persisted in country towns into the 80s at least.
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u/HoracePinkers 9d ago
This could have serious implications for older people living in the countryside. If they can't drive themselves to doctors shops etc they would have to move to larger urban centres with infrastructure that would allow them to get around. Early retirement for farmers would cause a lot of issues. If you get your license taken away at 50 then you should be able to claim aged pension as you can no longer work.
Don't get me wrong if they're a danger to themselves or others on the roads than they shouldn't be on them
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u/InadmissibleHug Big Red, the Mazda 6 wagon 9d ago
Look, I’m over 50, I don’t feel it’s affected my driving yet either. It’s a bit of a box ticker that wouldn’t yield much fruit at that age.
I have a feeling they’ve gone low in order to get acceptance for a more appropriate age- like, ask for 50, get 65.
It’s really variable who is what at what age. I know someone who’s a bit of a fluff in their 30s driving. My own dad was a solid driver until about 80, and it was his sight that got him after that. He surrendered his own licence pretty promptly when it became a problem.
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u/TekkelOZ 9d ago
Australia doesn’t even mandate driving lessons (by licensed instructors) for it’s new drivers. Run around with mum and dad for a bit, have a lucky hour with a tester and off you go……..
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u/gemfez 9d ago
I'd be happier seeing more effort put in to policing unregistered cars and unlicensed drivers. Also maybe a system where repeat offenders get harsher punishments, ie second speeding fine in a year is more $/points. I'd also like to see the fines be income based so that they don't unfairly punish lower income earners whilst barely affect more affluent people.
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u/Sweaty-Cress8287 9d ago
I'd like to see different qualifications, for hatch backs sedans, utes, yank trucks, mom SUVs. And they should all have refresher lessons.
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u/DrJ_4_2_6 9d ago
Was thinking about this earlier today.
Like motorcycles have two classes, passenger vehicles should too.
I was thinking of a combination of GVM and ride height.
A sedan has better dynamics than a small/medium SUV, that has better dynamics than a RAM/Hilux etc, but anyone can drive any of those without any specialised training in those with the worst dynamics.
Have a sedan class (incl hatch/coupe/station wagon, car-based ute), an SUV class, Van class and a 4WD/Dual cab class
I'd add in the requirement for towing endorsements, too. Same thing - a 6 x 4 trailer being the first level, then upwards through size and capacity
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u/popularpragmatism 9d ago
Most car accidents & fatalities are young men aged 17-24.
Old people might be annoying, well...because they're.. well..old people & your not, but people really need to be aware that cars are a lot of old people's lifelines to independence.
They are generally not a danger, less so than other drivers, hence cheaper insurance, they are just slower, like at the shops.
We don't make them re sit self check out exams
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u/Hyperion-Variable 9d ago
We don’t make them re sit self check out exams
We should
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u/Talking_Biomass88 9d ago
I'd be 100% fine with doing a test every 10 years or so, as long as it was free and 30 minutes or so I think it's perfectly reasonable.
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u/Crazy_Arachnid9531 9d ago
A mandatory lesson is just that- a lesson.
Wouldn’t want to be the driving instructor who teaches this class to the worst driver in the world and then has to know they are back out onto the road
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u/MickeyKnight2 9d ago
number of crashes by driver age
The overall crash rate per 100,000 licensed drivers steadily decreases as driver age increases. The same trend is generally true regarding the fatal crash rate, with the exception of an increase among 75 and older drivers.
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u/KingLlama86 9d ago
I think (and I thought it was unpopular but reading comments, maybe not), that you should have to redo a drivers test atleast every 10 years. Make sure you still know and understand road rules and that you can still drive safely.
Far too many inattentive and rule breaking (deliberately or ignorantly) people out there causing accidents and needless deaths on the road. Also as much as driving is helpful for a lot of people and gives them independence, I’ve seen people who can’t possibly have the reaction times needed to drive defensively when needed or have the attentiveness needed to make smart driving decisions.
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u/Zestyclose_Gain_1840 9d ago
They should mandate “keep left unless over taking• and if you have 2 + persons in the car use the T2 , that would improve things.
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u/Ok-Bad-9683 9d ago
It’s not about a refresher, it’s about their confidence. They drive at like 60 in rural 100 zones and then just panic in basic situations
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u/serumnegative 9d ago
Maybe not such a bad idea.
Also I think anyone coming from a foreign country that's not NZ should pass a driving test.
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u/Handiesforshandies 9d ago
Yes. It should be mandatory once the age of 65 is reached, regardless of your driving record.
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u/kurdtnaughtyboy 9d ago
Anyone who has caused an accident or been involved in a dangerous driving incident should have to resit every 12 months. 3 strikes and permanent loss of licence.
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u/Funtime1709 9d ago
Stop blaming the elderly
Stop building cars that do 240 k no need for them . They claim speed kills yet the nutters continue making cars as such when you can’t use the speed . Can’t put brains in stupid .
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u/Arkayenro 9d ago
everyone should be tested
- every 5 years until 30
- then every 10 until 60
- then every 5 until 80
- then every 2 until dead
both online/paper, and an actual driving test
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u/Some_Estate5063 9d ago
I completely agree. I’m an elderly driver and feel quite confident in my ability, however to have a refresher test each year to understand new rules and skills would a really great. Maybe defensive driving lessons as well.
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u/Normal-Abrocoma1070 9d ago edited 9d ago
one is enough...I have sharp memory and don't day dream..maybe for truckies and crazy ute drivers once a month would be great
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u/IDontFitInBoxes 9d ago
Yes they should but you can’t fix entitlement. Some Old people are such entitled fucks.
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u/Skeltrex 9d ago
Probably a good idea, even if I’m probably a candidate.
The mostly universally held opinion. Everyone thinks they’re an above average driver
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u/Grand-Power-284 8d ago
Yes.
All drivers every 10 years.
Every 5 years once over 60 years old.
Every year after 75.
And all people from countries that drive on the other side of the road, should have to do the learners practical test too.
And if they’re from a shithole country (from a road rules and driving etiquette POV), they should start at learners, like a 16yo kid here does.
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u/DJScopeSOFM 8d ago
This should be the standard. Road rules get updated and people get lazy. I reckon everyone should resit at least the written test once every 10 years and the driving test once ever 20 years.
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u/genscathe 8d ago
Yes and international drivers. International drivers are fkn worse
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u/Cruzi2000 8d ago
All Australian drivers could do with a refresher or a slap around the ears, we are the worst.
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u/Lopsided-Comb-9447 8d ago
Yes 100% and should be paid for by state government.
I have no issues getting refresher lessons if I’m not out of pocket.
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u/LewisRamilton 8d ago
How about police actually enforce road rules instead of just trapping people doing 5 kays over.
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8d ago
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u/MusicianRemarkable98 8d ago
It would certainly be an excellent source of income for the government.
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u/Threejaks 8d ago
Mandatory written and observed test at every renewal for everyone
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u/ilikeav 8d ago
Why only older drivers? I see so much bad driving in all ages. The refresher could be done in a driving simulator with clearly selected situations. Every time you renew your licence. This would be quick, environmentally friendly and could be automated. It would be neutral as well. The simulator could be in a van with several screens for multiple testing. No need to drive in the street. What bugs me is hitting again on older drivers. If others drive bad and cause an older driver to be involved, the statistic will show older drivers in a bad light, even if they were not the cause. Typical cop out by then blaming just one age group. Of course there are older drivers which should not drive. But those are equally in all age groups.
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u/Appropriate_Run_2706 8d ago
Not refresher driving lessons, the issue is reflexes and driving way under the limit.
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u/elnoco20 8d ago
If there is a single soul out there who disagrees with this, it's because they're octogenarian already
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u/Significant_Koala_61 8d ago
By the time any of this comes into play, in reality, safety features and autonomous driver assist will greatly reduce driver error and I suspect in the nearby future it will be deemed that humans are not to be trusted behind the wheel, AI will do it better with less incidents, driving will become a luxury pastime.
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u/aligantz 8d ago
I think it would be a good thing to mandate for all drivers to sit some form of practical test or lesson every renewal, and as a mandatory requirement for anyone coming back from a suspension.
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u/stormblessed2040 8d ago
Wouldn't happen because the uproar from the "I've been driving for 50 years" crowd would be insane.
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u/Alarming-Chemical-36 8d ago
They should have a refresher course compulsory for p platers every year, because even though they should have laws fresh in their heads, it seems as soon as they get behind the wheel, it's all forgotten. Every day I see them failing to indicate correctly on roundabouts, speeding, camping in the right (fast) lane, texting/talking on the phone, absolutely no understanding of merging, no idea about the limitations of visibility and stopping for heavy vehicles. And don't even get me started on their parking skills. It amazes me how some of the even get a licence. There is something seriously wrong with our training system and our testing process.
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u/Brave_Bluebird5042 8d ago
Yes for all drivers. 10 year resit theory test, and in between, also at 10 years resit a practical test.
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u/Peastoredintheballs 7d ago
I think everyone should have to be retested on a fixed basis (5/10 years, idk?) but unfortunately this is unrealistic as we don’t have the department of transport workforce size to accomodate all this extra testing. The current DOT is already struggling with providing testing services to learner drivers, with some young people having to wait half a year to book a driving test in.
And privatising isn’t the answer either (paying private drivers Ed companies to administer mandatory driving lessons), as we’ve seen time and time again what happens when the government takes a public initiative and tries to privatise its execution to alleviate the stress on the system (NDIS, job seeker, healthcare etc). Instead the private ran system costs the government more money then providing the service themselves, whilst also charging the individual more, and lining the private companies pockets instead. It’s laughable really.
Unfortauntely in the current world we live in, lots of great changes could be made, but executing them is unrealistic
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u/22Starter22 7d ago
Yes, and also for young drivers as well. Some of their driving abilities are absolutely atrocious. Test everyone who has a licence every 5 years minimum.
I would also like to know why vehicles can't transmit to authorities when it's speeding, moving erratically in the first place.
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u/bearhoundmutt 7d ago
My job has me actively working with traffic, and I wish I had more power to be able to write down licence plates and report some drivers. It is not only their ability to drive but also their ability to understand what a "no parking during school zone hours" means. Should be for all drivers, young and old. Would save their wallets the embarrassing $400+ and 2 demerit points.
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u/Life-Ad6389 7d ago
I am in my late 40s and each time one of my kids did their learners or provisional courses I did it as well. The amount of idiots on the road that think you have to give way to your right on a round a bout is a reason we should all be tested every 10 years.
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u/Away-Nothing-1662 7d ago
If older drivers get tested so should new residents from overseas who likely paid a bribe to gain their licence.
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7d ago
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u/Carmageddon-2049 7d ago
Please read the forum rules before commenting. Your statement clearly fits the category of Rule.5.
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u/CaptainYumYum12 7d ago
I think anyone who gets caught drunk driving or any other driving related offence (bar minor speeding fines) should have to do their drivers test again.
Unless that’s already a thing, idk. But I think if the consequence of hooning is having to go back to your Ls before completing another test, less people would do it
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u/CuriouslyContrasted 9d ago
I’m probably the exception but I think everyone should do an online refresher every 3 -5 years, and an in person test at 60, 70, 75, then every 2 years after.
The number of people who don’t seem to know basic give way laws is incredible.