Description
96% of Americans drive automatic transmission. Meanwhile, only 10-12% of cars in Europe are automatic. American drivers prefer cars that have have a shorter learning curve with no risk of stalling.
As well, many of Americas cities, towns and suburbs were planned and designed after the invention and proliferation of automobiles. Our road infrastructure is generally easy to navigate, understand and traverse. Why shouldn’t our testing reflect that?
Most of America doesn’t have reliable or useful public transit networks (with exceptions like NYC, Boston, DC, Chicago, etc). Therefore – you have an economy that only moves when people can drive. It is in the government’s best interest to find an appropriate balance between road safety and economics.
I got my license in New York. I needed to be at least 16 years old and pass a written test for a learner’s permit. I carry the permit for at least 6 months before I could apply for a road test. I also needed to complete a 5-hour long driver’s safety course. And pay fees along the way.
Having driven in many other countries, I feel well prepared and never had issues (though, I always rent automatics).
Some countries want to discourage car usage for whatever reason (environmental, health) – so they make getting a driver’s license more difficult to achieve and keep. For example, a driver’s test is a royal pain in the ass in Japan. But Japan also invests heavily into passenger rail and subways – and the population centers are so dense. Our needs are different and our licenses‘ partially reflect that.
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