A comparison of South Australia's driver licensing methods: competency-based training vs. practical examination

The study, comparing different driver licensing methods, involved 267 subjects (132 male, 135 female) with a mean age of 19.6 years (range 17–23) who had obtained their driver's licence either by completing a competency-based training course (145 subjects) or by passing a practical examination (122 subjects). Subjects completed a survey regarding their driving attitudes, behaviours and experiences. Licensing method had no effect on driving outcomes (i.e. crash and offence rates) or self-perceptions of driving attitudes or behaviour. However, drivers who had passed the practical examination had higher self-ratings of skill than drivers who had completed competency-based training. These findings indicate that the different licensing methods produce young drivers with similar driving attitudes and behaviours. Path analysis showed that self-perceptions of skill and safety are good indicators of crash and offence rates, and that rather than being a determinant of driving behaviour, licensing method may itself be determined by self-perceptions of skill.