Driving Tests (From Dudley News)

Driving Tests

11:50am Tuesday 12th June 2012 in Blogs 2013 By Amy PW

So I took my driving test a couple weeks ago, and even though I'm happy I've done it and pleased with myself for passing first time, I can't believe how much money and work it was!

I had two driving instructors, both of which were great and helped me in every way possible to pass first time. However, driving lessons alone are around £21 per hour and I had about 25 lessons. Then on top of that, the the theory test is £31 and then the practical test is at least £62. It is so expensive to pass your driving today, when you finally pass do you have any money left to even consider buying a car, insuring it and paying for its fuel consumption?

I spent so long revising for my theory test, reading through the theory test book (which was around £12) every morning on the bus on my way to college, and I ended up failing first time and having to re-take it, costing me a grand total of £62 to take my theory test. I was so nervous for my practical, I didn't tell any of my friends or family about it because I had convinced myself that I was going to fail because of nerves, however by some miracle I passed!

The cost is one thing, and if you have the money then I suppose the problem is not so big, however the effort and time dedication needed now compared to thirty years ago is unbelievable!

After passing my driving test I am obviously very aware of other road users and possible dangers around me, but not everybody seems to be! After having lessons with two qualified instructors I am used to doing things like indicating when leaving roundabout, giving way where instructed, and leaving a good distance between you and the car in front, but not every driver complies to these things! They have been driving for years and, although they have experience, they forget the simple things that can cause accidents on the road.

People who took their driving tests thirty odd years ago don't have as much knowledge of the current highway code as new drivers do. Habits have been formed by those that have been driving for years, like driving in neutral, using the handbrake to stop a car, and not making good use of the handbrake where potential dangers could arise. Because of this, I think that a "mini-driving test" should be taken every 10 years. This should only cost £10-£20 though so it is affordable.

People should constantly be aware of the rules of the roads so they are not a danger to others! I don't think that the tests should cost as much as they do because it makes it harder for people to afford to take them, everyone should be able to have the opportunity to drive if they want to and can do safely. Making driving so expensive only means that people take longer to pass as they take longer to save up the money to pay for the tests, reducing the price would make people want to drive more.

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