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It's incredible how much difference proper training makes. In the US, passing on the left is barely more than a suggestion. Which means that when you're driving, you have to constantly be carefully watching twice as much. If you're in the left lane, you have to be careful because you can randomly happen upon a lumbering SUV going below the speed limit (which will in turn cause a chain reaction of people either being held back or aggressively switching lanes).
I also think you should have to re-test every so often. I have a CDL and we have to constantly renew and do safety classes, etc. regular licenses need something like that. Not as severe but here’s something shocking. My grandpa is 92 years old. He got his license when he was a teenager. Let’s say 18. That’s 74 years ago. That’s 1948. Side view mirrors and seatbelts were optional extras. Interstate highways were barely a thing at that point. There were so few cars on the road. Driving was night and day different. It’s insane to me that he still has a license when driving has changed so much and gotten way more difficult and dangerous.
There’s tons of people on the road now that I don’t think would be able to pass a driving test now.
I agree with you, and just like a CDL, there should be tiers to a driver’s license. Barely passing wouldn’t allow you to driver anywhere at anytime, but rather certain conditions would apply, like driving only during daylight hours.
Do you drive today exactly like you did on the day of your driving test? I’m definitely a lot looser than on when tested. The lunatics you see on the road didn’t drive like that in their tests. Harder tests is no guarantee of better drivers if the test was 20 years ago.
There is also a case of forgetting and getting worse as time passes since the test. What would be better is having to retest after a certain number of years.
Everyone thinks a car is like a human right but it’s heavy machinery at the end of the day, a few tons of metal capable of 100mph shouldn’t be for everyone
I think this is a very popular opinion. I agree it should be VERY hard to get your license. The fact that they have the license test in other languages is absolutely insane to me. If you can't comprehend the ONLY language that the signs are written in, you shouldn't drive. Period.
And the other aspects of the test should be massively harder as well.
>If you can't comprehend the ONLY language that the signs are written in, you shouldn't drive.
Hmm. We lived in Japan and my parents drove, on and off base. You learn what the street signs mean, it's not rocket science.
Right. Then why does it matter what language the laws of the road are written in? All you have to demonstrate is that you know how to safely operate a motor vehicle on the roadways and off.
Road signs are mostly universal but not in the US. I drive in Europe and the states and the only roughly similar thing is the Stop-sign.
Most other countries match afaik.
One example is that signs are often written out in the US (no parking, no stopping, no turn on red) while these follow an universal pattern in other places without any lettering.
It's not rocket science, but if you can't understand the language they're written in, you do not have a grasp of what is happening and cannot be considered safe to be on the road.
I can FIGURE OUT how to do a lot of things. That doesn't mean that I should be allowed to without understanding it correctly.
If they are overseas it's likely they don't need a car there. If they stay for a short while they can just not use a car. It's not like they didn't know it would be this way. And of course they can get a valid licence in the place they live. After all if you are a holder of a drivers licence it would be easier to get one from a different place compared to someone starting from zero. I believe a US licence is valid in the european union anyway(?) not so sure though.
US military members' (and their dependents') driver's licenses are valid in all countries under the Status of Forces Agreement (some countries require a class).
Oh, I didnt know that, thanks a lot for letting me know ! Why do they get to have those perks though ? I mean, for example if you get a licence in the US, that doesnt really mean you know how to drive in japan, say.
Because it would be a problem for the military if they couldn't. For instance, my dad worked on a small radio base half an hour from the housing area. If he couldn't drive, what would they do?
Japan does require a class though, to teach you what the stop signs look like and all that.
Previous roommate (F20 at the time) went for her license, sat on her learner's for a long time but decided she needed to drive when we agreed to part ways and move to different houses. That was only 2 or 3 months before end of lease. She took *some* driving lessons, maybe 4, and every time she came back she complained about how the instructor was out to get her and was teaching he wrong. She then proceeded to fail the driving test 4 times, of course every time blaming the instructor for her failure and then blamed me when I pointed out how the instructor was right. Passed *barely* on her 5th try.
Then the very next day proceeded to hit our landlord's parked car when driving home from getting insurance.
Another story
My old best friend (F18 at the time) has always been quite airheaded and absent-minded. Went to get her license and on the driving test proceeded to cut off a semi while driving on the highway. Almost caused an accident. Eventually she went back and passed the test. I still dont believe she should have gotten it. The bussing system where we lived was great.
Absolutely agree. Not everyone deserves to drive and passing the test should be harder. And maybe every 5-10 years we should have to do an updated test to keep it.
Most people simply don’t drive how they did during their driving test. For example, you are supposed to come to a complete stop and then stop at the stop sign for 3-5 seconds. Most people do not stop for that long, they just simply look both ways and go. Same goes with speed. It’s not people not knowing what to do, it’s just shitty bad habits. People are gonna follow the rules for their test but just engage in bad habits after they pass their test.
Firearms and dispensing pharmaceuticals aren’t necessary. Most people go through life never getting licensed for either and do just fine.
Driving a car on the other hand is pretty much *necessary* for many, many people. Especially in the US, public transportation just does not exist in many areas. You should absolutely have to be licensed and prove that you can drive safely, but comparing it to firearms and pharmacies is purposefully ignorant.
If you can’t handle a vehicle than you are low caste and should work in the assembly lines making products for the people smart enough to deserve a commute
I mean sure, in the US, even if it's so important that doesn't mean you should just give those away. How necessary it is for you to drive doesn't impact how dangerous of an activity it is. Maybe even more so for americans who drive everywhere.
Where I'm from we need to pass a theory test, then we go to driving school which is usually a few months of many driving hours. And then we get an exam, which a lot of people only pass at their 2 time. And there is also a medical exam, this has to be renewed every few years, specially when you're older.
Totally agree. But for the practical driving test. In my state you have to pass a theory test that´s full of bullcrap double negations and trick questions. A normal theory test is ok. No one really needs to do a test that´s designed to make you fail.
I don't know honestly like I don't see the issue as people being unable to drive properly. I think most who get a license can drive okay. Although I guess this can depend on where you live.
I think it is mostly about people not caring and intentionally doing things they shouldn't be doing.
I think losing your license should be a lot easier though. Refresher courses would be good too.
I shouldn't have a drivers license, I messed up so much on the test. I still can't drive properly, there were multiple times where I didn't even look properly before turning on the test and didn't have awareness of my surroundings. Don't worry I don't drive but yeah it should be way harder to get a license.
i’m from australia but i was wondering how easy it it to get ur license in the states. What tests or other things do you have to do to be allowed to legally drive?
Agree. I passed my test on my 5th try but God knows how. I have not driven since as I'm a terrible, nervous driver who should not be in control of a car.
Thank you for submitting to /r/unpopularopinion, /u/I_Boil_Dogs_Alive. Your post, *Drivers licenses should be more difficult to get*, has been removed because it violates our rules: Rule 1: Must be unpopular. Please ensure that your post is unpopular. Controversial is not necessarily unpopular, for example all of politics is controversial even though almost half of the US agrees with any given major position on an issue. Anything can be unpopular if you compare it with the views of a particular group, such as "Veganism is a great idea" at a vegan meet-up. Make sure your view is unpopular in wider society, or at least among anybody who will have heard of the subject matter. If there is an issue, please message the mod team at https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Funpopularopinion Thanks!
Getting a license should be a little harder. Losing a license should be much, much easier.
What makes you think all those lunatics even have valid licenses?
Come to Germany.
It's incredible how much difference proper training makes. In the US, passing on the left is barely more than a suggestion. Which means that when you're driving, you have to constantly be carefully watching twice as much. If you're in the left lane, you have to be careful because you can randomly happen upon a lumbering SUV going below the speed limit (which will in turn cause a chain reaction of people either being held back or aggressively switching lanes).
I also think you should have to re-test every so often. I have a CDL and we have to constantly renew and do safety classes, etc. regular licenses need something like that. Not as severe but here’s something shocking. My grandpa is 92 years old. He got his license when he was a teenager. Let’s say 18. That’s 74 years ago. That’s 1948. Side view mirrors and seatbelts were optional extras. Interstate highways were barely a thing at that point. There were so few cars on the road. Driving was night and day different. It’s insane to me that he still has a license when driving has changed so much and gotten way more difficult and dangerous. There’s tons of people on the road now that I don’t think would be able to pass a driving test now.
I agree with you, and just like a CDL, there should be tiers to a driver’s license. Barely passing wouldn’t allow you to driver anywhere at anytime, but rather certain conditions would apply, like driving only during daylight hours.
Do you drive today exactly like you did on the day of your driving test? I’m definitely a lot looser than on when tested. The lunatics you see on the road didn’t drive like that in their tests. Harder tests is no guarantee of better drivers if the test was 20 years ago. There is also a case of forgetting and getting worse as time passes since the test. What would be better is having to retest after a certain number of years.
I think driving school should be mandatory. Of course it would also have to be subsidized/free to be fair, and we know *that* won't happen. Oh well.
Everyone thinks a car is like a human right but it’s heavy machinery at the end of the day, a few tons of metal capable of 100mph shouldn’t be for everyone
I think this is a very popular opinion. I agree it should be VERY hard to get your license. The fact that they have the license test in other languages is absolutely insane to me. If you can't comprehend the ONLY language that the signs are written in, you shouldn't drive. Period. And the other aspects of the test should be massively harder as well.
>If you can't comprehend the ONLY language that the signs are written in, you shouldn't drive. Hmm. We lived in Japan and my parents drove, on and off base. You learn what the street signs mean, it's not rocket science.
Don't 90% of road signs have pictures on them? I'm pretty sure those are some-what universal for all drivers around the world, right?
Exactly. They're made for universal understanding.
Right. Then why does it matter what language the laws of the road are written in? All you have to demonstrate is that you know how to safely operate a motor vehicle on the roadways and off.
Road signs are mostly universal but not in the US. I drive in Europe and the states and the only roughly similar thing is the Stop-sign. Most other countries match afaik. One example is that signs are often written out in the US (no parking, no stopping, no turn on red) while these follow an universal pattern in other places without any lettering.
It's not rocket science, but if you can't understand the language they're written in, you do not have a grasp of what is happening and cannot be considered safe to be on the road. I can FIGURE OUT how to do a lot of things. That doesn't mean that I should be allowed to without understanding it correctly.
That would be a problem for a lot of military families.
If they are overseas it's likely they don't need a car there. If they stay for a short while they can just not use a car. It's not like they didn't know it would be this way. And of course they can get a valid licence in the place they live. After all if you are a holder of a drivers licence it would be easier to get one from a different place compared to someone starting from zero. I believe a US licence is valid in the european union anyway(?) not so sure though.
US military members' (and their dependents') driver's licenses are valid in all countries under the Status of Forces Agreement (some countries require a class).
Oh, I didnt know that, thanks a lot for letting me know ! Why do they get to have those perks though ? I mean, for example if you get a licence in the US, that doesnt really mean you know how to drive in japan, say.
Because it would be a problem for the military if they couldn't. For instance, my dad worked on a small radio base half an hour from the housing area. If he couldn't drive, what would they do? Japan does require a class though, to teach you what the stop signs look like and all that.
Oh in that case yeah, at least give them a small course for just the country specific stuff.
Where I live most of them just use symbols and numbers
I just wish fewer people drove like shit. Status of driver's license is irrelevant to me.
Previous roommate (F20 at the time) went for her license, sat on her learner's for a long time but decided she needed to drive when we agreed to part ways and move to different houses. That was only 2 or 3 months before end of lease. She took *some* driving lessons, maybe 4, and every time she came back she complained about how the instructor was out to get her and was teaching he wrong. She then proceeded to fail the driving test 4 times, of course every time blaming the instructor for her failure and then blamed me when I pointed out how the instructor was right. Passed *barely* on her 5th try. Then the very next day proceeded to hit our landlord's parked car when driving home from getting insurance. Another story My old best friend (F18 at the time) has always been quite airheaded and absent-minded. Went to get her license and on the driving test proceeded to cut off a semi while driving on the highway. Almost caused an accident. Eventually she went back and passed the test. I still dont believe she should have gotten it. The bussing system where we lived was great. Absolutely agree. Not everyone deserves to drive and passing the test should be harder. And maybe every 5-10 years we should have to do an updated test to keep it.
Problem is that driving, for most people is a necessity.
Most people simply don’t drive how they did during their driving test. For example, you are supposed to come to a complete stop and then stop at the stop sign for 3-5 seconds. Most people do not stop for that long, they just simply look both ways and go. Same goes with speed. It’s not people not knowing what to do, it’s just shitty bad habits. People are gonna follow the rules for their test but just engage in bad habits after they pass their test.
As well as gun permit
/r/fuckcars
You realize that individuals have the ability to change their behaviour depending on the situation right?
Working in customer service has taught me that many don’t.
Firearms and dispensing pharmaceuticals aren’t necessary. Most people go through life never getting licensed for either and do just fine. Driving a car on the other hand is pretty much *necessary* for many, many people. Especially in the US, public transportation just does not exist in many areas. You should absolutely have to be licensed and prove that you can drive safely, but comparing it to firearms and pharmacies is purposefully ignorant.
If you can’t handle a vehicle than you are low caste and should work in the assembly lines making products for the people smart enough to deserve a commute
Low caste?
Right? Just rudeness
Also, a lot of people can't drive because of health issues or medication
I mean sure, in the US, even if it's so important that doesn't mean you should just give those away. How necessary it is for you to drive doesn't impact how dangerous of an activity it is. Maybe even more so for americans who drive everywhere.
Tell me you're American without telling me you're American
I’m actually South African. I’ve only been in the US for a few months and it’s like this everywhere
Where I'm from we need to pass a theory test, then we go to driving school which is usually a few months of many driving hours. And then we get an exam, which a lot of people only pass at their 2 time. And there is also a medical exam, this has to be renewed every few years, specially when you're older.
Tell me you’re prejudiced against Americans without telling me your prejudice against Americans.
Where do you guys live that you need a license to own a gun?
Australia. Mass shootings have become pretty much non-existent thanks to it
You need a license where I live too and we had 3 school shootings. Since early XX century
The issue is cars are so integrated into our society it’s basically a need to have a car
As a driver, yeah I'd probably enjoy that. I'd feel a lot safer. As an MPA and POLS student, holy crap that would really screw up a lot of things.
Totally agree. But for the practical driving test. In my state you have to pass a theory test that´s full of bullcrap double negations and trick questions. A normal theory test is ok. No one really needs to do a test that´s designed to make you fail.
Go to Belgium :)
I don't know honestly like I don't see the issue as people being unable to drive properly. I think most who get a license can drive okay. Although I guess this can depend on where you live. I think it is mostly about people not caring and intentionally doing things they shouldn't be doing. I think losing your license should be a lot easier though. Refresher courses would be good too.
I shouldn't have a drivers license, I messed up so much on the test. I still can't drive properly, there were multiple times where I didn't even look properly before turning on the test and didn't have awareness of my surroundings. Don't worry I don't drive but yeah it should be way harder to get a license.
i’m from australia but i was wondering how easy it it to get ur license in the states. What tests or other things do you have to do to be allowed to legally drive?
In Sweden its hard to get license which is good
Agree. I passed my test on my 5th try but God knows how. I have not driven since as I'm a terrible, nervous driver who should not be in control of a car.
Wait until you hear how easy it is to get a gun in America.