ReAllroads are hitting the showrooms

[isham-research.freeserve.co.uk at pop.pol.net.uk]

> I believe that Germany (that right, Phil?) allows 5 attempts after which you
> walk - permanently. That piece of 'harmonisation' I'd agree with.

Germany doesn't have a test, per se.  There is a written test, and
you have to obtain a certificate that you've attended a 'Things to do
immediately at an accident site' course, plus produce a certificate
from the TuV that you have near-perfect eyesight (includes any
correction you wear) and then it's down to your state-registered
instructor certifying you after you've done the legally required
hours of each type of practice driving to his/her satisfaction.

The main barrier to continuance of the process for the not very able
is the sheer cost of it - obtaining a driver's licence in Germany now
costs a couple of thousand marks; over $1000.

The training is very good, IMO.  There's also a new commonality -
if you collect points within your first two years, your licence
can be withdrawn and you have to start again.

When I took the eye test, I had to look into a microscope-like
eyepiece and read out twenty two-digit numbers - repeated for each
eye.  My licence was then endorsed: "Sehhilfe erforderlich" or some
such.  I also got: "Inhaber besitzt ausserdem eine englische
Fahrerlaubnis" - "Bearer also has an English licence."

The EU being the EU, I no longer have a German licence.  I do still
have a German Fahrerlaubnis, and so if I'm stopped in Germany for
a points-type offence, I am supposed to tell the officer that I have
a record in Flensburg (the German version of DVLA).

--
 Phil Payne
 UK Audi quattro Owners Club
 http://www.isham-research.freeserve.co.uk/quattro
 Phone +44 7785 302803   Fax: +44 7785 309674