Agree or disagree

Ok here it is. Do you think before a person can get a drivers license they should be able to show the person doing the test that they can.
#1 check all fluids
#2 check tire pressure and be able to tell how to change a flat tire? #3 be able to check all light to make sure they are in working order??
My self I think they should be able to do these things and maybe more because if you think about it you see cars along the hwy. that would not be there because they broke down for dumb reasons. Like one I know first hand of. A woman comes in to a station and asks for help. Guy say whats wrong. She says well my oil light came on and I kept driving. Well now my car will not run, it make a funny noise and the engine died. True story by the way
Hobby farm

No, I think the system is fine. If people don't want to be bothered by care and maintenance, they are not going to do it.

Old,

Sorry have to disagree. You might put a dent in all the auto repair businesses.

My father and I picked up a spindle for my mower. A guy at the counter brought in his front wheel off a riding lawn mower to actually have the service counter put in new bushings. Not press in or anything precision, just the cheap $2 plastic front wheel bushings.

Now he got the cotter key and wheel off, but couldn't figure out how to knock the old ones out with a screwdriver? Counter man charged him $10 to install, took all of 1 minute.

My dad said "here I'll show you", and the guy says "no, no, I want someone certified to do it."

Rick

To me that would be one more law to protect someone from themselves. A person, such as my significant other, will never, ever change a tire or check and change the fluids. She makes her own money and choses to pay AAA to change flats and the shop to check and change her oil and fluids. I personally dont agree with that extreme but its her money. For me, I dont want anyone legislating anything else to protect me from me. Im plenty supportive of laws to protect us from others and products but things like seatbelt laws, not being allowed to smoke outside, etc really bother me.

To me that would be one more law to protect someone from themselves. A person, such as my significant other, will never, ever change a tire or check and change the fluids. She makes her own money and choses to pay AAA to change flats and the shop to check and change her oil and fluids. I personally dont agree with that extreme but its her money. For me, I dont want anyone legislating anything else to protect me from me. Im plenty supportive of laws to protect us from others and products but things like seatbelt laws, not being allowed to smoke outside, etc really bother me.

My kid sure. Others keep the mechanics and tow truck companies in business.

I just asked my 15 year old. He said just so they know how to change the headlight fluid.
JimN

i think car ownership is like tractor ownership you should know the basic care and mantenence procedures before being allowed to operate it, there are thousands of people out there driving today that all seem to be trying for the worlds stupidest driver award,insisting on not knowing the slightest thing about their auto, the thing that irks me about it is when they break down its usually at the worst time of the day and right in front of me and i have places to be and things to do

I don't like seat belt laws either even wearing them scares me to death but I did see a friend cut in half by a seat belt when I was about 17 years old. He got broad sided and the belt cut him in half at the waist

Just think how the road would be if truck drivers didn't have to pass those test. Yep if you have a CDL you have to be able to check all that plus more. I know I have a CDL and do not plan to give it up. I think this way because the road would be safer for every one. And if the truck drive has to why not the common man

well if you own the vehicle it is your responsibility to make sure it is road worthy and safe on the roads.BUT some of them big trucks out there are probably in worst shape than the little cars.and i do agree that if you are going to drive then have a clue how the vehicle operates.i have witnessed women go for a spin and just freeze at the wheel, just shut their eyes and hang on to the wheel.as i always say there is lots of accidents caused by just being inexperienced.at the wheel.kind of getting side tracked now so better quite.but yes this gets me riled up.a six year old kid can drive any vehicle today, and not enough training before recieving a licence.

I see your point, but I don't think it would change anything.
In the world today there'd just be another outfit crop up that would specialize in priming idiots for 'the test' after which they would promptly forget everything they learned.
It's not that these people can't learn to check oil or change tires. It's that they don't want to check oil or change tires and they don't want to learn... and you can't legislate that.

Rod

A license to drive is just that, nothing more. you have to demonstrate you know and observe the rules of the road. It's not a license to change the oil or change a tire. If they would require all that and take up all that time, the cost of the license would skyrocket. My grandaughter knew all that stuff and she's dead now cause some 80 year old blind woman ran a stop sign directly in front of her. I do think you should have to pass a credable physical exam. rw

Big difference between a fully loaded semi that can easily crush other motorists and some dipstick who's too lazy to check his dipstick. So what if their engine blows up, its not that dangerous. I still say that these tasks are easy and people are just too lazy or busy to do them.

Old original question was do you think they should -------
I am very surprised I didn't hear someone say how about a demonstration that you can drive! Well believe it or not my grand daughter got her drivers license and didn't even take a drivers test. My son-in-law had taught her to do everything including parallel parking so she could pass the drivers test. They went there and the person behind the counter ask who taught her. SIL said he did. They said well sign here to certify that you taught her, and that was it, she got her license. Of course she got a learners permit about a year earlier. She actually took a test for that. I really can't understand why they let the kids not have to demonstrate they can drive.

I think if they take on the responsibility to be on the road they should be responsible to maintain their own vehicle , and have knowledge of the important basics. other than the law.

You would see a lot less broken down vehicles obstructing traffic in several instances.

Not that they should carry a daily inspection sheet that has to be filled out twice a day like the truckers do, but at least if driving often keep a watch on the important things. and know how to maintain them.

Old, you come drive around in St.Cloud MN, downtown where all the Somalians drive and you will soon realize that they will give a licence to just about any one. How they can pass a test and drive like they do is beyond me. Not being discrimanatory, but they most really should not be on the public road way in control of a deadly vehicle.

I agree you should know how to do all those things. First tractor driving lessons since we farmed with less than new equipment was a walk around and check ALL fluids before worrying about starting. Now the auto does all this for you, Buick driver info center; Tire pressure, oil level, coolant level, washer fluid level, never have to get out of the heated seat.

Never said any thing about changing the oil but checking the oil. Yes once you reach an age that you may not be able to drive there should be a test done by a doctor. Believe me I understand my dad had to have his license taken away from him before he would not could not drive

Tell that to the guy who owns a store in town. He had a car hit the front of his store yesterday and it broke the wall. Car had the brakes go out and a simple check would have could have stopped that and a 2000-400 car is as deadly as a 80,000lbs big rig. Just the big rig will take out more before it stops. I know I got hit by a 1965 Chev car when I was on a motorcycle a big rig would have been almost as bad as that car was

disagree
larry

About 4 years ago I rolled up on a female who pulled off the side of the road about 1 in the morning. She exited the car and was walking to the front as I pulled in behind her car. She had pulled off because one of her headlights went out and felt she couldn't continue because she couldn't see to drive with one light.

True story.

The Hispanic drivers here do not have a license.. On the radio traffic report every morning, most of the accidents are reported as hit and runs..

As much as you'd like to think you could prevent everything bad from happening, you just can't. I think the rate of incidences is pretty low compared to how many vehicles are on the road. Usually when a car breaks its just an inconvienience, not a deadly accident. Big rigs have their problems too. Look at how many of those retread tires you see all over the interstates, guess they should have checked better. I am betting most accidents are caused by driver error on vehicles of all sizes and rarely because of a mechanical failure.

When something does happen, well sadly thats what insurance is for. The man with the new drive through will get his wall fixed, the motorist will pay for it through higher rates and life goes on. Some people die in accidents, and thats unfortunate, but it happens and there isn't a way to make the risks of life totally go away. Look at how airplanes and cranes are painstakingly inspected, and yet planes still crash, and cranes fall after the inspectors just left.

I had always heard people joke'n bout asian drivers. Never thought much about it till I went to a small town with a big college. For some reason, asians loved Murray. They all drived little white cars with yellow and black fenders. Every gas station and fast food joint had white paint on the concrete post. Every where they went you'd think godzilla was after'm!

Dave

Something I'd like to see is every one have to take the test in a stick shift.

I'd bet at 30, I am the youngest one one here who passed the drive'n test in a five speed truck with no power steering!

Dave

Yep, along with passing a periodic drug test to maintain the license.

But the easier way of controlling roadside junkyards is charge folks for obstructing traffic if they run out of gas or get a flat on balogne skins, or something related to preventative maintenance.

To get a German drivers license, you have to know the basics, basic first aid, and drive several hours in all conditions before you get tested. Costs a bunch of money.........

Dave

Godzilla,now thats funny

my daughter took her test in a 71 chevy pickup with a 6 cylinder, 3 speed on column. she is 20
larry

It wasn't too funny if you were walk'n across a park'n spot they wanted!!!!!!

Agree

I didn't take my test in a stick shift, but it was the first thing I ever drove- My brother's Nissan 200 SX w/ 5 speed. He took me out on the hwy as soon as I got my temps. Also did alot of driving with my dad in his, now my truck- 88 F150 w/ 300 & 5 sp.

Donovan from Wisconsin

Make them backup,backing separates the drivers from the wannabes

What simple check can tell you your brakes are going out ? The rusted lines usually blow right when you hit the pedal hard when you need them the most. With all the other mandatory saftey garbage added onto cars I still can't believe brake lines are made of ordinary steel on most cars.

The single head light story brought to mind a similar story. Arrived at work one morning and asked an female employee why she had not gone home last night? She said both low bean head lights were out when she went to drive home in the dark. I suggested she could have used high beams to drive home. Used high beams for a long time before repairing.

I hate those seat belts, call them killer belts. Had a 18 year old couson killed by a belt when she rolled the pickup she was driving on fresh resurfaced blacktop on a dark rainy night with no lines yet and no berming done. Her belt was fastened and intact and declared in proper working condition yet she was found laying in the field with the marks on her neck where the belt snapped it instantly as she was thrown out of the fastened belt. When her soon to be husband had to sign the acident report in the field that night he saw it was in the hand written report that the officer seen that it caused her death, when later he had to sign the typewritten report it was missing and was told IT IS ILLEAGLE TO PUT ANYTHING IN A REPORT THAT QUESTIONS A SEAT BELT SAFTY. Her sister that was not wearing a belt was also thrown out but just had a broken pelvis and is doing good 20 years later.

Only makes sense - it is the Murray State Racers! No better at SIU or SEMO, either.

Disagree.

If the general public knew how to do any of that stuff,i'd be outta business.

Seriously,it would be a waste of time and taxpayer dollars to have it made mandatory in testing as most wouldn't make it a habit.

Now on the other hand,a short-course in automotive repair and maintenance should be added to the classroom for new recruits.Just basics and terminology.

Sometimes when explaining a repair to a customer,I get the feeling they're looking at me like a have two heads!No clue what i'm talkin' 'bout!

they should be able to rebuild their engine before they can get a drivers liscence..

Disagree, it is a license to drive, not a pump jockey certification. You don't even do that for a CDL.

I agree, except with the "change a flat tire part", that's completely irrelevant of the drivers compentancy on the road.........If the person has to sit there for 4 hrs. before someone comes to change their flat tire that's no danger to the motoring public, provided they pulled off the road enough to let other cars by............

I'm always amused by the people that figure better drivers would be made if they "Had to take the test in a vehicle with a manual transmission" OR "Had to show that they could back-up or parallel park".................

How 'bout teaching them the basics first?

1/ PAY ATTENTION while driving(no cell phones, no checking your make-up in the mirror, etc.)EVEN go so far as to shoulder check when changing lanes AND watch the other car to see what it's going to do!

2/ Minumum safe following distance - six inches from the bumper of the vehicle in front of you does NOT cut it!

3/ Maximum safe approach speed to an intersection - Just because MOST vehicles are equipped with ABS and reliable brakes there is no need to to put those components to the test EVERY single time you stop, COAST up to the intersection!

4/ Drive according to road conditions - If there's a sheet of glare ice on the highway OR fog that only permits visiblity of approximately 6 feet, it's a safe bet that you'll have to drive SLOWER than the posted speed limit, i.e. MAYBE 20 or 30 instead of 70 in a 60 zone?


It's just a guess, BUT do you think if people worked on those few issues
there'd be less accidents?

Knowing how to look after your vehicle is a good thing but not necessary providing you have someone doing it for you regularly.............Also, knowing how to drive a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission or being able to parallel park with only 1 foot of clearance is handy but not instrumental to the safety of yourself and others on the road...........


Anyway that's my rant, sorry Old but can't you tell?? I'm a disgruntled member of the motoring public!

You might make a case for making that a part of any certified driver's ed course, but not for the state exam.

What I WOULD heartily endorse (here goes another can of worms) is requiring an endorsement to haul a trailer rated over 3500#. To get that would require a written test along the lines of the CDL that would include load securement and balance and a state road test that would include a pre-trip check that would include lights and brake (including breakaway) checks, hitch security, tire inflation and condition, and more, in addition to cornering, basic backing and the additional clearances required (both front and rear) in OTR driving.

I live in Maine (they used to call it Vacationland), and in tourist season, there are an incredible number of people on the road with rigs of all sizes who would be only marginally qualified (back to your beef) to operate a car let alone tow a trailer, going down the road blowing out trailer tires that haven't had the pressure checked since it was new, swaying because of poor balance or simply overloading the tow vehicle, tailgating and/or pulling back in after passing with clearance that would be unsafe for a car alone . . . . you name it.

It needn't be as stringent an exam as the CDL, but something like I describe is sorely needed.

What I want to know is how can the foreigners get a CDL to haul out of port Newark NJ. Most truck drivers out of the port can not speak English. How can they read the road signs to get across the country. I would think you need to speak some English to get your CDL.Most run the containers like a small sports car as they are only getting 0.40 a mile and a lot of containers are way over weight.Most trucks these Gypsy run can hardly pass DOT from the looks of them.

Northeast puller 1

I agree 100% Everybody should know how to atleast check fluids,check or change tiers, and how to use jumper cabels. I knew all that before I could reach the pedals.

While I agree that everyone should know how to do that, I don't think you could legislate and enforce it. It would just create one more expensive, inefficient pot of taxpeyer dollars for the crooks in government to steal.

I like Scotty's idea of additional testing for pulling a trailer and I would go one step furthur and require an additional endorsement for for any vehicle over 10,000 GVW. I would not exempt RV's either. Some of the RV's are now the size of a Greyhound bus and driven like they are a VW Bug.

Do you really want cars running down the road with cross threaded lug nuts screwed on 1/2 a turn wheels flying off?I see your point and it ought to be part of teaching them about driving.They should also have to drive with a standard transmission.Somehow AAA makes sense in a lot of cases.

I taught Driver's Education for 12 years and the first thing any driver did before we left to drive was to check all fluids and then do a circle check for lights tires etc. This is still commonplace for Driver's Education courses.Nothing new here.

I think people need to be highly aware of these things, but to have the government involved with it, any further than say the written test, don't think there is any need for it due to the likely in-effective results. A person should know these things, I agree by all means there, just common sense to taking care of your vehicle, and is why we have vehicle inspections. Personally I take pride in maintenance, I don't like seeing things abused, not taken care of, it's really nice when others see that in you as well, cars, equipment alike, the farmer/neighbor by me can call me any time for help and I can go to his yard and run about anything he has, well except planter and or combine, he's got nothing to worry about, but not everyone is like that, just the way people are different.

Flat tire repair on the side of the road can be a real dangerous thing to attempt, as I am sure many of us have seen someone put themselves at high risk at some point while driving over the years, years back I almost rear ended a guy on a real dangerous parkway, NYS taconic parkway, narrow, winding 2 laner, blind curve, guy stops in a driving lane, within a blind curve, 55 mph zone, when he should have rode it on the rim to a safe area that was just up the road a bit, and gotten the vehicle out of the danger zone, typical dumb@ss idiotic decision that narrowly avoided turning into a big pile up, you had to have been there when the group of traffic I was in had to slow down and avoid hitting this jerk. This parkway at the lower end towards NYC is a real dangerous road to travel, they spent a lot of money to re-align it in a few places, but it's still very dangerous and is why the NYSP and local police set up radar all the time, to keep the speeders in check, just not the kind of road to take any chances on, but people still have their own ideas, do it anyway, and put others at risk, same ones don't know enough to check fluids, lights or condition of their vehicle unless an inspector does it 1x per year.

I'm not sure, but if what you are getting at is alluding to getting idiots like this off the road or educated, will probably never happen. Just human nature, some people are natural born idiots... heck I'm one of em !!! Well maybe just when it comes to driving it's mostly personality, everyone is different. I used to see it everyday when I drove a truck full time, and or traveled back and forth in and around NYC for close to 15 years. Even when running heavy equipment, something about people and vehicles, machinery etc., some are a natural at it, others can be afraid of their own shadow, can't figure it out, can't make a decision, just don't have a clue. If you have ever driven truck (I know you have Rich), run equipment, with a bunch of others, there are always those that just don't get it, period. They always stand out, we saw it on Ice Road truckers, the driver Rick who at the end almost took a 4x4 to the head by the trucking outfit owner who got real fed up with him. I've seen dozens just like him, how do you regulate or change an idiot like that ? Example; the episode where the red fuel tank they were hauling started to leak, well duuuuhhhhh, idiot child Rick gets on the forklift batters the tank around in subzero temps, steel is brittle and cracked, maybe the producers of the show needed this for an episode, but he caused it, there is no doubt, have seen his type many many times before, and this is exactly the type of personality/mentality that is the biggest problem on the roads today. These people need the training the most, (Rick also needed a serious attitude adjustment as well). Some of it is just personality, some people are so non aggressive, passive, they get in their own way. You know how some people can fix, repair and take care of anything around the home, when others just don't have a clue and just hire out? Don't make em a bad person or any better or worse than the next guy, just the way it is, getting that person to learn these things, they have to want to learn first, realize the importance, and take it from there, so regulations may just be another bundle of red tape to despise for someone who does not know any better.

I hate to say this,but you could not teach a Rick on Ice Road Truckers nothing in 40 years.The way he drives with no regard of the equipment or anything else besides himself means he doesnt care.You would be wore out long before he ever will be trying to teach him something.

New vehicles have dash lights to tell all you need to know.Most of these so called fixit garages are staffed with kids who are there to sell not service.Had a kid at our local oil quick change tell people to put a new oil plug in after every oil change cause the threads on the old plug was shot.He said the plugs were made in china and were no good.You know he sold tons of new plugs.

Sorry but to get a CDL you do in fact have the check ALL fluids, know how to check the tires, check ALL lights etc etc etc. BTDT and I have a CDL and I did in fact have to do all those things to get my CDL. To be a bus driver there is even more to it then what a truck drive has to do BTDT also

I pasted my drives test in stick shift at the age of 14 yep I have had my drivers lience since I was 14 years old. Never had it taken away either. I'm working on my 2nd million miles right now but have more then 1.5 million right now

Sorry, but no you don't. The whole test is now done in front of a computer monitor. You need to know that you have to check fluids, tires, brakes, etc. but you don't have to know HOW to do those things. The only time you have to actually touch the truck is when you step in and perform the driving test. No safety checks, no pre-trip, nothin'. BTDT, I have a CDL too.

Hey, old I agree with you. But I think some of these truck drivers get their license at Sears. I drove truck for thirty years. About twenty five years ago I took the tests (plural) for a job I got at Consoldated Freight and you had about five different test, counting road test. One of the main things to check was the flashing emergency lights. Took test for hauling everything (chemicals, hazard material, etc) and I'll be darned I passed them all, couldn't now. Been retired for twenty years now.

Hey, old I agree with you. But I think some of these truck drivers get their license at Sears. I drove truck for thirty years. About twenty five years ago I took the tests (plural) for a job I got at Consoldated Freight and you had about five different test, counting road test. One of the main things to check was the flashing emergency lights. Took test for hauling everything (chemicals, hazard material, etc) and I'll be darned I passed them all, couldn't now. Been retired for twenty years now.

Well then they have either changed it or it is different in your state which may be the case. I know a guy that just got his bus CDL a couple months ago and he complained how much fun it wasn't doing the pretrip inspection

Yep different test for haz mat, tanker, double and triples etc etc. BTDT and the only 2 things I can not drive right now is school bus and Haz. mat. In this state you have to do haz mat every year or so or it drops and I figured I would not be driving truck much if any any more so let it slide but kept the CDL

We have enough intervention in our lives without another useless hoop to jump through.

Yeah, I couldn't drive school bus, motorcycle or a wrecker in N.D. but could drive everything (and did) including triples.

However I do think that every four years a person should taking the driving test and pass the road side impairment test - reguardless of age.

I don't care if you're drunk or senile, if the test says you impaired you shouldn't be driving.

Yur the kind that couldn't drive a Wheelbarrow, best stay off the road !

I'd agree on that, though you like to see the good in all people, some are a lost cause.

I used him as an example, from a TV show, a lot of us have may have seen, makes him visible to anyone who recognizes what an ignorant driver really is, he demonstrated that with no problem at all. The producers of that show certainly exploited it.

Stupid Is As Stupid Does.

My preference would be that any driver should have to ride a motorcycle for a year before they get license. Then you would know about courtesy. Also, I used to change oil, free for several people. The women would all come in with 2 qts. in crankcase and say "Guess I am early, the red light didn't come on yet." Others said your are not supposed to add oil. Just change it at 3000 miles. Other called and said their car blew engine for unknown reason. Life. Dave

Part of the CDL is supposed to be that you can read/speak English.I have been inside a scale house with a foreigner in front of me,could not speak a sentence in English,didnt understand English with his girlfriend translating for him.The DOT in that Illinois scale house were real nice to them,showed him pictures to try and talk to him.Disgusting, they should have hauled him to jail.Whoever he drove for must have "contributed"to the Illinois State Police or DOT enough for them to overlook his language problems.

Old,Thats another case of his company"contributing"to the DOT or somebody in that State to get around the law.To drive over the road you also have to carry a book of DOT Regulations.That means you would have to put your hands on every part of that truck if a DOT officer gave you a test according to the laws in that book.He maybe got a CDL through a company some way,or whatever state that will most likely get sued by the DOT if there is a big wreck that kills lots of people like Illinois was.Also the reason the last governor of Illinois went to prison because he sold CDL licenses to foreigners for about 300 dollars and the driver didnt even have to go to the license office or drive or speak English.Several spectacular wrecks later,not even in Illinois,it was discovered that the"driver"was a foreigner,CDL from Illinois,and the Feds were less than happy with Ryan the governor when they traced it back to him selling drivers licenses and sent him to prison before Blagonavitch(sp) was governor.It was so bad that if you had an Illinois CDL license some states would not honor it until they gave you a little road side test.

I have two daughters- age 25 & 32. When they were learning to drive, I taught them some of the basics of maintenance- check oil, check tranny fluid, spare tire, etc.
Before they could take the car solo for the first time, they had to show me how to change a tire. I had them actually look at the owners manual, take the spare out, jack up the car, take off a tire, and put it back on. This was before cell phones were as popular and affordable. Was easier to wait up for them, but not easy. Cells made a world of difference. Actually got a little sleep.
old bones

So on the strength of that, if you were driving across Europe you would know say 6 or 7 languages or should they speak and have signs in English.