Thread: off-road license (?)

There has been some huge debate over the value of teaching advanced skills behind the wheel.

Does it improve the way you react or does it teach you skills that you might use to hoon.

Probably both, but I'm not sure that they need to teach 4WD skills for a car licence as to most it will be irrelevant and impractical.



I dont have any notable problem with a 4WD licence, but I think if needed that it should just be a short term sign off after a written pending a basic 4WD vet course with all of the normal outcomes achieved.

Then what do people who own 4x4s already do?

Originally Posted by easo

Then what do people who own 4x4s already do?

Nothing. I cant see it happening. There would be waaaay to much controversy and the government wouldn't lose an election over it.

Discussion is good but lets not fan this little fire - or it might take hold and we will all have get special licences.

Garry

Like it was said at the end of the frst interview...the vehicle was overloaded and occupants weren't wearing seatbelts, already breaking the law in 2 instances, so what was to say that having a "offroad licence" would make a diference anyway?

There have been several incidents, some tragic, in the dunes and beaches around here, and no amount of training/licensing/regulations would have made a difference in most cases. Apart from some genuine accidents, most are just down to plain stupidity.

I know each case is unique, but the ultimate responsibility come to the person behind the wheel.

Lots of people have car licences and still cant drive well on the bitumen.

Originally Posted by jbarracl

Lots of people have car licences and still cant drive well on the bitumen.

yup....i think there is way more carnage on the hiway leaving a lot more people affected

and.....go through the trip reports on this site, its amasing how many members are not wearing seatbelts......

They will never happen. They cannot happen and for one simple reason.

You can license people to drive on roads because roads are governed by statute. They are owned either by state or local government and the statutes that govern access to roads can therefore be policed.

Offroad is entirely different. Ownership is the first major factor and access privileges that ensue. Government agencies (e.g. police) do not have right of access without due cause, for example they have to actually know that someone is in the process of doing something that contravenes their license. They cannot sit and wait like they do on roads.

Put another way. If licensing was to be implemented there would be no effective way to police it without first removing people's right to privileged access to privately owned property. Can you see that happening? I can't.

Alan