[jen]

How old do you have to be to start driving and get a license on your own..where you live? Here in New York state, you can get a permit and a limited license at age 16. I do believe that this is way too young for such a huge responsibility. Plus, I think it is way too easy to get your license here. The written test is a joke, way too easy, and then the practical driving test takes about 5 minutes on a side road. I don't know, maybe it is just me getting older but I don't think kids are ready at this age to drive. I have witnessed so many acts of carelessness by young drivers. Not to mention, there have been 22 accidents outside my house in the past 2 years. Of those, 11 casualities. Most of those accidents were caused by kids under 18. Something just doesn't seem right. I believe 18 would be good start. Any thoughts or ideas??
Jen
P.S. Don't get me wrong, I loved it when I was 16, but I don't think I was mature enough for that kind of responsibility.

[Kim]

Nice one Jen :wink:

Well... lets just say that the system in the Netherlands is quite different. Here it works as follows:
Once you're 18 you can apply to one of the many driving schools our country has and you can start taking classes. An average student takes about 40 classes which cost about 35 euro each. To make it easy lets just say 1 euro = 1$ so thats already 1400 euro/$ gone.
But thats not all.
About halfway through taking your driving classes you need to take a theoretical exam which consists of 50 questions, you're allowed to make 5 mistakes. It's not a written exam but instead consists of you watching a tv screen in which they reconstruct all kinds of traffic situations and based on that they ask questions. Costs of that exam= 30 euro/$.
Once you've passed the theoretical exam and your driving instructor sees fit to let you take the actual driving test, you get to apply for it, which can take up to 10 weeks. Costs of the actual driving test are 180 euro/$ assuming you pass it the first time. Many people don't and so with each retry they pay another 180 euro/$.

Assuming you take the basic 40 classes and pass both exams first time round it would therefore cost you: 1400 + 30 + 180 = 1600 euro/1600 $ more or less.

hock:

Yep..it sure is a lot of money and a lot of hassle too but hopefully I'll be a better driver because of it..

[ron]

so jen you live on route 20. man there have been alot of accidents there lately Yes 16 is too young. there should be drivers education classes in school again. there are too many distractions for teenage drivers music to loud, friends in the car and so forth

Ron

[beanmedic]

Taken from the Ontario Ministry of transportation:

There are a number of tests the Ministry of Transportation requires an individual to take when applying for a driver's licence. The tests will depend on both the type of licence you are applying for and your driving status.

Knowledge Tests
Knowledge tests determine whether or not you have a good understanding of the rules of the road and traffic signs. New drivers are required to take a knowledge test. Individuals who are renewing, reinstating or exchanging their licence may also be required to take a knowledge test. The fee is $10.00.

Road Tests
Road tests assess your driving skills. You are tested on your ability to apply the rules of the road and safe driving practices. The G1 road test deals with basic driving skills. The G2 road test deals with more advanced knowledge and driving skills.

As of April 1, 1994, all new drivers applying for their first car or motorcycle licence enter Ontario's Graduated Licensing System (GLS). Graduated licensing lets new drivers get driving experience and skills gradually. The two-step licensing process takes at least 20 months to complete.

To apply for a licence, you must be at least 16 years old and pass a vision test and a test of your knowledge of the rules of the road and traffic signs. After you pass these tests, you will have your photograph taken and get a Class G1 licence and a driver information package for new drivers. You must pass two road tests to become fully licensed.

New drivers earn full driving privileges in two stages and have five years to complete the program (G1, G2) and graduate to a full licence.

Graduated Licensing for Automobile Drivers

Class G1
New drivers of passenger vehicles learn to drive with six important conditions with a G1 licence. A new driver must hold a G1 licence for a minimum of 12 months before attempting the G1 road test. This time can be reduced to eight months if you successfully complete an approved driver education course. Drivers earn more privileges after passing their G1 road test.

As a G1 driver, you are required to:

maintain a zero blood alcohol level while driving;
be accompanied by a fully licensed driver, who has at least four years driving experience, and a blood alcohol level of less than .05 per cent, in case he/she needs to take over the wheel;
ensure the accompanying driver is the only other person in the front seat;
ensure the number of passengers in the vehicle are limited to the number of working seat belts;
refrain from driving on Ontario's "400-series" highways or on high speed expressways such as the Queen Elizabeth Way, Don Valley Parkway, Gardiner Expressway, E.C. Row Expressway and the Conestoga Parkway;
refrain from driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m.
Note: If your accompanying driver is a driving instructor licensed in Ontario, you may drive on any road.

Class G2
New drivers must hold a G2 licence for a minimum of 12 months before they can attempt the G2 road test. At this level, you have more privileges because of your driving experience. You may drive without an accompanying driver on all Ontario roads anytime. However, you are still required to:

maintain a zero blood alcohol level while driving;
ensure the number of passengers in the vehicle are limited to the number of working seat belts.

[Beat]

The road to a driver's licence in The Netherlands is quite tough as Kim says, but with good reason. We live in a very small country with over 16 million people. I believe there are about 10 million cars driving around in this country, so the roads are very, very crowded. Therefore a new driver has to be thoroughly prepared.

[Storm]

(netherlands)
My son (18 ) passed his exams about 2 weeks ago. It took him 50 classes and he passed the first time.
Since january 2002 every one gets a temporary license for 5 years. When you make 3 big offends against the rules, you'll loose your drivers license and have to pass the exams again. After those 5 years you'll get a permanent license.
So it's really tough as Kim and Beat say.. but with a reason. Most accidents with fatal consequences are in the age between 18 and 23.

[jen]

so jen you live on route 20. man there have been alot of accidents there lately Ron

hey Ron, how did you guess?? Not that our section of the state is on the news all the time or anything... :wink: Unfortunately! :|

[ron]

jen
i live between buffalo and rochester so i get both cities news stations i usually watch buffalo reminds me of home

lets hope with the reconstruction that there will be fewer accidents

later
Ron

[jen]

So far so good :thumb: I feel safer now, especially making a left hand turn into our road. (we are actually right off RT 20) Anyway, much better! :wink:

[HIPpyLettuce]

When I got my license 10 years ago you had to be 16. You would do a written test and if you passed you would get your 'learners' license. You were required to drive for 30 hours for practice before you could take your driving exam and get your full blown license. You also had to wait 30 days prior to taking the exam. In my case I had it 30 days and had about 4-6 hours driving experience tops! NICE SYSTEM!

Things have improved a bit since then. The age is still 16, but your learners license lasts a few months (not sure the exact times) and then you are upgraded to a 'N' or new driver permit. This allows you to cary passengers and such. During this time you are on probation and if you get too many violations (speeding, running lights, stop signs etc) you will loose your license.

Albert (neighboring province) is a bit different. I believe you must be 14 to get your learners permit and 16 to get your full blown license. I think this is a better system since you then have 2 years driving experience with an adult before you can get your license.