Driver Education - Is it good enough in the USA?

[Ling Ling 22]

I contend that while we may have more driver education and requirements than some countries, we don't have enough.

I've "heard" (so I'm waiting for someone to correct me)....

that in some parts of Mexico, you basically show up with $10 bucks, prove that you can drive by pulling the car in front of the building,

and then you get a license to drive....and since there's no mandatory insurance requirement, people don't really care about getting into an accident.

I've alsoe "heard"...

that in Germany, you spend nearly a year and thousands of dollars in driver education. You have to drive through different types of weather,

and that there are very stiff fines for things like hand gestures and tailgating. Due to the higher requirements of driver education, and the stricter regulations, unrestricted speed is safer than restricted speed in the US.

Again...these are things I've heard...so what's the skinny in your neck of the woods?

[Ban Hammer 14,077]

I contend that while we may have more driver education and requirements than some countries, we don't have enough.

I've "heard" (so I'm waiting for someone to correct me)....

that in some parts of Mexico, you basically show up with $10 bucks, prove that you can drive by pulling the car in front of the building,

and then you get a license to drive....and since there's no mandatory insurance requirement, people don't really care about getting into an accident.

I've alsoe "heard"...

that in Germany, you spend nearly a year and thousands of dollars in driver education. You have to drive through different types of weather,

and that there are very stiff fines for things like hand gestures and tailgating. Due to the higher requirements of driver education, and the stricter regulations, unrestricted speed is safer than restricted speed in the US.

Again...these are things I've heard...so what's the skinny in your neck of the woods?

true in germany.

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

Coming from Mexico I say it is,

Over there going to get a drivers license is like buying bread, just get in line and pay, at least it was like that 8 yrs ago, I don't know if things have changed.

The only problem I see here in the US is that they don't re-test the elderly, the license should not be in perpetuity because there are some people that are not fit to drive anymore.

[Ling Ling 22]

Yeah, more re-testing is a good idea...but I say the initial test in the US is still too easy.

I got my license when I was 16, and I didn't know how to drive. I would hit cars just driving down a street late at night.

Not because I was impaired, or not paying attention, but just because I didn't know how to drive.

YEARS later, and many collisions later, I took some professional driver training, and even did a bit of amateur racing.

While I drive faster than before, I drive a lot more defensively, and instead of assuming people are going to see me

and get out of my way, I assume that they're going to cut me off, and I have exit strategies before I need them.

Driver eduction in the US may be more difficult than buying bread, but still too easy to be safe.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I'm in MA. We have no educated drivers.

[Otto 83]

First time drivers in Germany (age 18 and up) must take a driving school (as you would in the US) - it is much more rigorous than anything in the US though - total cost to receive your DL is near $2000 (about 1500 Euros). Add to that some pretty strict inspections to your vehicle and some nice taxes to round things out - you really have to want to drive. Of course you can survive there without a car - much more so than most places in the US.

Contrary to popular belief - speeds are definitely regulated in Germany both on and off the Autobahn (only about 15% of the Autobahns are unrestricted all the time).

Here (in the US) driver training is pretty laughable - and there is very little enforcement.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Well, driver education is already good enough. It's the type of people who's driving that is not good enough.

[Ling Ling 22]

Well, driver education is already good enough. It's the type of people who's driving that is not good enough.

???? You think teaching someone to drive in spring, giving them a license in summer, and expecting them not to ** up in winter is good enough????

Driver education in the US is a joke at best.

And talk about lack of enforcement...I remember driving in winter, and this guy slides into my car. There's a police car next to me, watching the whole thing. I look at him (the officer), and he's like "It's slipperty", and drives off.

[Otto 83]

Well, driver education is already good enough. It's the type of people who's driving that is not good enough.

Have to disagree - partly - it's given too early (too young), it's too easy and there is far too little emphasis on responsibility.

[Peikko 1,575]

Well, driver education is already good enough. It's the type of people who's driving that is not good enough.

Have to disagree - partly - it's given too early (too young), it's too easy and there is far too little emphasis on responsibility.

On the basis of the driving tests I have done, one in the UK and one in the US, the US is too easy. Partly though it comes as a result of the % of people driving automatics in the US versus in the UK and I suspect it's partly because the US population wouldn't take kindly to a more rigorous test or a raising in the age limit for driving.

For the most part though, the driving experience is most different between urban and rural populations. Driving in a very populated city is just not equivalent to driving in some of the less populated states/cities and I am not sure how you get around the huge variation of requirement.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Well, driver education is already good enough. It's the type of people who's driving that is not good enough.

Have to disagree - partly - it's given too early (too young), it's too easy and there is far too little emphasis on responsibility.

You don't see the point I'm making.

No matter how much we educate these fools. They will not always use it. Just like school. How much do you actually used the stuff in high school? Or, in college?

Edited December 3, 2008 by Niels Bohr

[Ling Ling 22]

Well, driver education is already good enough. It's the type of people who's driving that is not good enough.

Have to disagree - partly - it's given too early (too young), it's too easy and there is far too little emphasis on responsibility.

You don't see the point I'm making.

No matter how much we educate these fools. They will not always use it. Just like school. How much do you actually used the stuff in high school? Or, in college?

Fair enough, I can see your point. But I would still argue that we NEED to have higher standards for driver education.

The guy that barely passes his algebra class, has little likelihood of getting into a position where his lack of math skills will cause death.

Driving is still regarded as one of those silly things called "rights" (as if they existed), instead of being considered the privilege and responsibility

of being able to be in total control of a weapon of mass destruction.

To quote George Karlin, "Everyone born on this planet gets a ticket to the freak show....in America you get a front row seat".

[Dr. Obvious 49]

First time drivers in Germany (age 18 and up) must take a driving school (as you would in the US) - it is much more rigorous than anything in the US though - total cost to receive your DL is near $2000 (about 1500 Euros). Add to that some pretty strict inspections to your vehicle and some nice taxes to round things out - you really have to want to drive. Of course you can survive there without a car - much more so than most places in the US.

Contrary to popular belief - speeds are definitely regulated in Germany both on and off the Autobahn (only about 15% of the Autobahns are unrestricted all the time).

Here (in the US) driver training is pretty laughable - and there is very little enforcement.

What's really funny is how I paid 40 euros and traded my Indiana license for a regular German driver's license. No tests, no driving school, no nothing. I still have it in my wallet right next to the Indiana one I got back after I came back, no problems.

Edited December 4, 2008 by Wacken

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The UK driving test was more challenging - they have you do at least 2 reversing manouevers - usually parallel parking and backing into a parking space (not parking within the lines = instant fail).

Here I was done in about 15 minutes - a few right turns and a lane change and I was done...

[Not Available 0]

I got mine in Brampton, Ontario. It was terrible. Once I finished my hours for in car driving, I couldn't get book a date for the G2 test for three or four months (G1 was you learners, G2 was a retarded middle license so you can "practice driving alone" for a year then your G was your full license). Then it takes about four weeks for your license to arrive in the mail. I tell you, I was floored when they printed my license right there and then at the DMV here.

ETA: each test costs about $100... not including driving school.

Edited December 4, 2008 by Smile!