What is your opinion on this? I think we should yes and I think redoing the practical test every so often too would be no harm.
Now you are just nit picking or being pedantic or silly for the sake of it.
NCT was included with tax, insurance just to show other things owners of vehicles or drivers have to currently/routinely do to stay on the road. That is all. Pass or fail at NCT does not alter the fact they have to schedule the test in the first place.
The Theory Test Pass Certificate is valid for 2 years. If someone isn't capable of getting one in two years, they're either not particularly bothered by the routine bureaucracy (license, motor tax, NCT, insurance, doctor/eyesight certs, etc) involved in driving in Ireland, or they've actually proven themselves incapable of passing a pretty simple multiple-choice questionnaire on the rules that allow us to operate heavy machines at speed in close proximity to each other with reasonably acceptable levels of safety. I don't want be sharing the roads with such people.
Should be at least an eyesight medical every ten years.
Then possibile simulated driving test with some road safety questions.
But you do all the same. Must be difficult. See below quote from an EU Commission Report on Driving Licences. Don't tell anyone
In a theory test the candidate needs to demonstrate that he/she has a good and thorough understanding of the traffic systems and the rules that apply. Although it can be assumed that this understanding will probably improve the quality of a driver's decisions, the relative contribution of this test to overall safety has not yet been studied, and hence no conclusions can be drawn about its effectiveness
Didn't get the name of who was on Newstalk last night promoting this idea but he said failing the test would have no implications. As Ciaran Cuddihy pointed out that meant someone could just tick A on each question and it would make no difference.
Not practical suggestion
Resources required to re test everyone going to be massive waste.
What would be useful is a re test for any penalty points.
I like this suggestion although I dont know if having to do the theory test is going to make a huge difference other than adding another expense to the process. As mentioned in post 21 most people know the rules of the road but they choose to ignore them.
Our road death numbers are happening on the roads and I dont think adding additional theory to someone who has been driving for ten years is going to improve things hugely.
Some additional practical training in a simulator or refresher lessons could have a bigger impact but that all comes at a financial cost and time cost to the individual. Motoring in this country is costly enough as it is.
Plus 1, there are no resources and huge backlog now. Also the number of people driving with no licence whatsoever mean enforcement is the problem, and the amount of people caught who are actually already banned is alarming . The amount of people who pass first test in school car (ie 1.0 lt fiesta ) and then go and buy a very powerful car or an EV which are very fast to respond,they should be made stick to whatever size engine they passed test in for 12 months, like the N or even L very few people display these anyway.
As regards retesting over 70s, how many do you think would pass? very hard to change habits at that age, so do we stop them driving, even to the shops?
I am mid 60s and have been driving nearly 40 years averaging nearly 80k a year and never a problem, and I have a D licence passed last year and an advanced one , also did the blue light course for a volenteer role all either renewed or passed in the past 2 years,
The amount of bad driving on the roads is getting alot worse in my opinion, and over all ages , alot even ignore blue lights especially SUVs and taxis and cycles.
We need to enforce laws we have ,before adding more and getting more revenue, also the country roads are in a terrible state, potholes big enough to drown in and on corners ,what happens when someone pulls out to avoid one and hits another car.
Ireland is awash with money and waste most of it, spend some on proper roads.
For those giving out about "what if a person fails" well the idea would be that (presumably) most people would put in a bit of effort to learn/refresh to avoid that happening. So you are potentially improving some of those people's behaviour.
If you are worried about people not being able to drive until they pass the test, then why not instead have a certificate of competency in driving theory which lasts for say 10 years. Insurance companies can then modify their cover/quotes to take that into consideration.
A theory test could be done online, and be implemented quickly enough.
This is a no brainer IMO.
Driving is a privilege not a right.
If someone fails a theory test, they have no business being on the road, given they are a danger to others not only themselves.
Given that the over 70's in Ireland never passed a test in the first place perhaps getting them to understand the rules of the road may not be a bad thing?
Again, if someone does not know the basic rules of the road, should they be allowed on our roads? Some people say YES! But that is nuts tbh.
Is that a personal view or has there been extensive research supporting the link between road safety and passing a theory test?
Is it not self-evident?
If someone does not understand the basic rules of the road and cannot pass a basic theory test to confirm that they do, should the be allowed to drive a car anyway?
Why do we have a theory test in the first place? You argument seems to stem that it doesnt matter, so lets just abolish the theory test.. as if that will make our roads safer.
Tbh the level of driving ability/awareness is so bad for a % of "qualified" drivers they should be made do the driving test again not to mind the theory.
one thing the seeming majority of irish drivers have never learned, or have forgotten, is what an advance stop line is.
The current online theory test has a waiting list of between 1 and 4 weeks.
OK, so not really a big problem. They could use expand it to other test centres if there is a considerable backlog.
There are currently 2.4 million cars on the road. Assuming each one equals one driver (and that could be more), the current rate of tests per annum (200k) would need to be at least quadrupled to ensure everyone is tested within three years.
That's not a big problem?
So, it looks like backlog will be huge once new law is implemented. So, it is good time now to book your theory and driving tests even if your licence expires in 3 years
What new law? This is a proposal from an opposition party. Unless I've read it wrong.
it's not even a proposal from a party, per se, is it? it's a proposal from a party member.
Given that Ireland is often a laggard when it comes to implementing new fangled ideas, I presume repeating the theory test on driving licence renewal is the norm in other progressive safe countries
just wait a bit. It'll be law in no time.
An expensive privilege which is also a vital necessity for many.
It should not be withdrawn on the basis of a test where no law has been broken and no medical/eyesight issue exists.
Typical bs from the labour party,bacik will have a word in this guys ear and tell him to stfu,what a stupid idea.
So people who dont know the basic rules of the road, should continue to drive.
No wonder the standard of driving is so bad with attitudes like that.
Nope. Stuff like can be easily solved.
Why apply any age to it? Plenty of rubbish driving out there from all ages, every 10 years would be the ideal IMO, trouble is our system is incredibly inefficient and such a rule would bring the test times to a ridiculous level.
I don't agree. The fact that we currently have a backlog with a throughput of 200k a year would attest to that.
