Should learner drivers not have high powered cars until a certain age?

Ben O'Brien

Depends on what you mean by too easily obtained. Also I'll hazard a guess and say that you're not a P-plater, therefore the way you got your license was probably a lot easier than it is today. The one thing that needs to be considered is the financial cost on mums and dads and families; particularly those that aren't well off. Have you considered the cost of the driving schools? They're around 50 an hour, and we need at least 100 hours of drive time as it is. Have you considered the cost of the petrol for all the extra trips that have to happen to get a young driver up to speed before they can just drive anywhere? You know before they're comfortable and capable to drive with traffic and drive safely? I know that I struggled to afford to get that all done. And then we have to fork out something like $70 for the test and 100 and something to get the license. Then they can turn around and buy a car, and buy insurance etc. And you want to make that harder? My personal approach would be to have mandatory driving courses in defensive driving and courses to increase awareness of reckless driving and to give kids the skills to be able to deal with dangerous situations, so that when they arise (and they will) they're better equip to deal with it. But there needs to be a support network to fund this, because families likely won't be able to afford. And I haven't even touched on the people whose parents who don't drive (and they do exist) and the ones that have lived out of home for a while and don't have access to a fully licensed driver that is willing to help.