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When I got my license in Maryland, the class mostly just reviewed the book. The logged hours weren't even looked at. The written test was 20 multiple choice que
by rascul 5y ago
When I got my license in Maryland, the class mostly just reviewed the book. The logged hours weren't even looked at. The written test was 20 multiple choice questions, I think I needed around 15 correct. The driving test was a closed course where I had to do little more than use turn signals, stop at a stop sign, and turn around in a box. At some point between deploying with the US Army and moving states, I had an expired license and I had to redo a written test in Texas to get it back. That test was just as much a joke.
My point is that drivers licenses seem have such a low bar and, anecdotally and quite possibly related, many people are really bad at driving, and it seems like something that can be improved.
- giantg2 5y agoI agree that tests are a joke. I think most accidents are the result of poor decisions, and many of those poor decisions are based on ignorance. If the test included more materials and basics of vehicle dynamics (like CDL does with loads, grades, and gearing) then maybe they would not be ignorant, and the test might actually get them to study and learn. It seems like driver education requirements are more thorough in countries with lower fatality and crash rates, even if speeds are higher. At least having done autoX we know the limits of our vehicles, and even more importantly of our skills. Understanding how a small change in conditions can drastically change performance and create an unsafe situation is hugely valuable, as is the mindset to pay attention to it.