OT: Driving licenses in different countries - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

para22 · 21st October 2001, 23:13

Yeah , here on the board we have really many pepole from nearly all over the world (mostly north america and europe) so i think that i can get info about driving licenses in many countries and in different states if they are different (i really don't know) , i know that in canada you have different laws in different provinces about that. So maybe we can come to where the youngest pepole can get license , where the oldest (switzerland is 20 i think) , i also know that some countries / states / provinces have grades of driving license... I think that one describtion per country/state/province is enough... if someone other thinks that the info isn't complete add more , ok I'll start with Poland:

No-grades , full international license from 17 years (There's a new law that goes in on 2nd February 2002 , it moves it to 18)
The exams look like first a theory part and then driving...
the driving part is quite f'ed up IMO , because you have to do a lot of parking manuevers like going into garage with a right turn on reverse and so on and really little town driving and other practical stuff ...

Myron · 21st October 2001, 23:52

Here in Norway you have to be 18. Practical test and a teoretical test. IF you pass, you get the license for a 2 years test-period. So if u do something illegal, like driving +36 km/h above the speedlimit, during that period of time, you have to take the license all over again. It also costs about $1800 in average to get that little piece of plast (It's just as big as a creditcard).

VanCooper · 22nd October 2001, 00:57

Here in British-Columbia, Canada you can apply for a drivers license at the age of 16 years old.

First, when you apply for your driver's license, they make you read a booklet about 40 pages long on the different areas of driving. Then, you go at the licensing office to do a visual test on a computer screen. They're very easy (I got 84% and 86% on them). If you pass them, you get a learners driver's license for about 6 months. The restrictions while on learners are:

1.Display official red learners sign on back of car
2.Prohibited from driving between midnight and 5 am
3.No alcohol in blood
4.Maximum of two passengers with you including one with a valid driver's license.

Then when you're over that leaners period, they call you in for a road test that lasts about 45 minutes. If you pass that, then you become Novice for a period of 18 months and the restrictions are:

1.Display official green learner's sign on back of car
2.No alcohol in blood

Pluto · 22nd October 2001, 04:56

Mass, USA =

I think u have to be 16, not sure. Just walk in any RMV station and u have to show 3 forms of id(birth certficate, electric bill, lease agreement etc) to proof ur name, address and signature. After u done that they take an eye exam then walk up to a comp screen where u can take a very very very easy test, I think there is total of 10 questions(LAUGHABLE EASY QUESTIONS). After u done that u get a learner's permit which will be valid for 6 months and u can only use it from 6am-12pm and u always have to have a licensed driver with you. The driving test is pretty easy. You can take it after u passed ur written test. You dont have to take driver's ed, you just need to have a 18+ years old licensed driver with u and a legit car when u take the sriving test. Some police officer sits next to u and u just have to drive around a block and that's all. It's an international license and most countires accept it.

Hungary =

This is the real b***. I think u have to be 17 or 18, not sure. There are 3 tests u have to take. First there is the 'first aid' tests. It is kind a pretty easy, u just have to sit through classes and u pretty much pass, they just make u listen. The traffic test is kind a hard, I think u have to take quite a long course 20hours or so, then after u have to take a 3 hours tests, which is kind a hard and has more then 100 questions. They ask all kinds of stupid questions, like which car looks bigger on the horizon

a, small 'dark colored' car
b, big 'dark colored' car
c, small 'light colored' car
d, big 'light colored' car

Argh! I hated it. You really have to study for it to pass.

After u passed that u need to take a driven test, but first u have take some classes with an instructor. You have to drive around 'in town' on highways, etc. I think u need min 10 hours or so before u can take the driving test. The test is usually less then an huor long, u have to drive around town, on higways, park, etc.

I think that's all. My US driver's license is valid up to 6month back home after that I will have to take some kind of tests to get a Hungarian one.

tfung · 22nd October 2001, 06:15

Hong Kong:
You have to be 18 to apply for a driving license.... You can either get an automatic private car license, or a manual private car license... If you get an automatic one, you aren't allowed to drive a manual car.. But with a manual license, you can drive both types...

First step is to get sign up for a written exam... they would give you a book to study about all sorts of things about driving.... the wait for the written exam is usually one month.... It's basically 25 questions multiple choice... If you get 4 or more wrong, you would have to take the exam again, and wait another month to do it.... After passing, you'll get a learners permit... This permit basically only allows you to drive when you have a certified instructor with you in the car, and only between the hours of 8am and 10pm. The vehichle you are in, must display a learners sign at the front and back of the vehichle, plus have a brake pedal on the passenger side of the car for the instructor's use.

Second is actual road experience... you need at least 8 hours driving time before you can take the road test, which comprises of a parking test and an actualy road driving test. The wait for these tests can be between 2 to 4 months.... If you fail either part, you will have to re-do that part of the test, and that could be another 2 month wait..

When you finally pass both parts of the test, you get your full license, which is basically just a piece of computer printed paper and is laminated.. Doesn't even have your photo in it... Since we have ID cards in Hong Kong, when stopped by police while driving, you're required to produce both the ID card and drivers license....

ashcroal · 22nd October 2001, 11:55

In New Zealand (where I am from), you used to be able to get a full licence (no restrictions) from 15. This changed in '87 - I know cos I got my licence 3 days after my 15th birthday

, and 1 month before the changes came in.

They then changed the law to 16 years old, and a graduated system where you have a provisional licence for 18 months (can halve the time if you do a defensive driving course), that restricts the time you are allowed to drive - not after 10 or 11pm, and also restricts you driving with other minors - so you can't drive your friends around, without a full driver in the car.

Also, the alcohol limit is lower than for full drivers - they may have just changed this to no alcohol at all, but I am not sure.

Regards

Al

JohnH · 22nd October 2001, 12:34

In UK my youngest daughter has just passed her test and as far as I can remember the procedure is as follows:

1) 17 Years old to apply for a provisional licence to drive a car.
2) You then have to be accompanied by a driver and use L Plates
3) Pass a theory test which is computerised
4) Take a practival driving test with an examiner
5) If you pass using an Automatic gearbox then you are not allowed to drive a manual car.
6) In the first year or so after passing if you have a major traffic offence you have to retake your test.
7) The new driving licence now has your photo on it

Gerjan · 22nd October 2001, 12:47

In Holland you have to be 18 to get your driving lessons. There are both theoretic and practical exams. The theory isn't that hard. It's 50 questions multiple choice. If you get more than 5 wrong, you fail. There are plans to make it harder, with open questions. The practical exam is pretty hard and there is a waiting list. I know pretty much people who had to do it twice or more. Before it you have to do a very simple eye test (e.g. read parked cars' license plates). The car you're driving in during lessons has double pedals (clutch and brakes) and a sign on top of it. It also has special mirrors for the instructor. We got the automatic/manual difference just like tfung explained. I think the average time people take lessons is about 35 hours, but i'm not sure. I know a guy who had 1 hour lessons and after that he passed the exams. He is a professional racing driver though...

Also the government is going to introduce a test-period for new drivers in the future.

regards,

Gerjan

Fernando · 22nd October 2001, 17:50

Here in Brazil, São Paulo, you can drive when you have 18. You do theoretic and practical exams. If you pass you will get a provisional license for 12 months.
When the licenses get expired, you will get the official license (only if you don't have any fines you receive the license.

In the practical exams you drive a mechanical car. You need to drive up hills, do corners, and put the car between to other car (parking test).
But here you can pay and get your license free off test( S**t country).

One more thing you can't drive outside the city, never drive in highway.

Regards for all and
P.S I didn't pay my license!!!!
:p

Kunal · 17th December 2001, 14:53

I went to the police station, got the learner's license, came back six months later, went for a drive with the head cop (the one who actually issues the licenses), slipped him $50, and next day i get my full license!!

I might have to retake it in US though........

Not looking forward to that at all, i think they ask you to parallel park as well...