Obtaining a driving license in the UK is much like Hans described for
the Netherlands. It wasn't easy when I did it 17 years ago (took me two
attempts), and it's got harder since. Minimum age is 17, you have to
take a multiple-choice theory exam and a computer-based hazard
perception test before you can apply to take the practical exam (I never
did these, they are new since I took the test). The practical exam
involves a 3/4 hour or so test driving around a variety of road types.
This includes parallel parking, 3-point turns, emergency stops,
roundabouts (what I failed on first time), hill starts (as long as
there's an appropriate slope near the test centre!), and so on. You
have to take the test in a manual (stick-shift) car, or you are
restricted to automatics for the rest of your life unless you re-take
the test.
Of course you still see plenty of bad driving in the UK, but the bulk of
it I would classify as wilfully stupid, selfish, or over-exuberant,
rather than incompetance or inability to handle a car. Incompetant
driving largely comes from our most senior citizens, old enough to have
acquired a license before testing was required, and refusing to
acknowledge that their physical faculties are no longer up to the task.
Richard & Sammy ('73 Black Tulip BGT)
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