So should drivers have to redo the theory test every 10 years?

I don't agree. The fact that we currently have a backlog with a throughput of 200k a year would attest to that.

I prefer the 5 Ps rule: Poor preparation leads to piss poor performance. 🤣

You don't know what the problems are, you're doomed to failure.

Ridiculous idea - a waste of everyone’s time and inevitable money that will be charged - excessive speed and alcohol/drugs in your system whilst driving are the big killers on Irish roads - everyone knows not to break a red light but some do- everyone knows that 24 hour bus lanes are not to be used - but some people do- the test will achieve nothing

It won’t even reduce the number of road hogs in the overtaking lane on a motorway - in my experience most of those are foreign who just don’t realise what they’re doing

There's a difference between knowing the basic rules and adhering to them. I can only assume no one is going to claim that those who run red lights do so because they need a refresher course on what a red light represents?

Even professional drivers who have to take refresher courses ignore the basic rules when it suits. Last week on a 100kph road, approaching a 60kph stretch I came across an agricultural tractor and trailer followed by 2 cars dong approx 50kph. Solid white line plus hatch markings as approaching a junction. In my rear view mirror saw an artic gaining rapidly but of course instead of slowing he overtook 3 cars and tractor on the hatch marking at this rh junction. Probably OK though as driving within the posted speed limit. Yesterday on an M1 on ramp came up behind a taxi doing 60kph. He drove onto the M1 forcing a car on left lane to swerve over and the proceeded on his merry way at 60kph. Again a safe driver as well within the speed limit.

I'm sure both drivers are well aware of the theoretical basic rotr but just do whatever they like in reality.

You should do a sample test yourself. Everyone should. But some of the questions aren't really about driving. For example, how does knowing what the maximum sentence for drug driving is, help your driving?

Yeh, 70 would be good

The thing is that 90% of drivers in our country are very good drivers so we only need to worry about the other 10%. California have a system whereby for minor offences a driver can attend traffic school instead of getting penalty points. Something like that I think would work well here when combined with Traffic light cameras

Only the village idiot of a village of idiots would think you could drug drive without serious consequences. Whether the max sentence is 4 years or 6 years isn't going to make a blind bit of difference if you're snuffling Peruvian marching powder on a regular basis.

It's not the notion that the sentences might be lenient that's the problem, it's the thinking that you're unlikely to be caught.

I did do one earlier today. (A pass is 35 out of 40. I got 34.)

I was surprised that there were no questions about roundabouts and the only one on motorways was about the max speed for towing a caravan.

Most people are probably fine but a significant minority are not. In this day and age there should exist a machine to do a test, and that could be required when licences are renewed.

It was at that point I spit my drink out with laughter.

So how will you ensure they are not using google, or have a mate beside them or having a copy of rules of the road.

Then I fell off my stool when he said that failing it would not hinder getting a renewal.

Oh, and they haven't costed it. - Just a few hours earlier they were screaming about a national gallery scanner, yet here they are with an utterly nonsencial proposal that would cost millions and achieve absolutely nothing.

They really are becoming a party of stupids

That study doesn't specify glasses for driving. Just all of them. Also the "old lady" who hit you, might not have been looking in your direction, not that she was so blind as to not be able to see you. That level of vision impairment would prevent her finding her car.

You keep missing the point that people wearing glasses does not equate to them needing to wear them for driving. I wear reading glasses and have to have my eyes tested for my license (I have a C1 license) but don't need glasses for driving.

Most people over a certain age tend to have problems with focusing close in, so need glasses for reading. That does not mean they have a problem seeing at middle or far distance.