Following a review of the historical background to the method of granting driving licenses in the USA and a discussion of the problems concerning decisions in the licensing procedure there are reports on several trials with audiovisual test systems. The tests were carried out using various methods. For instance in 1971 Iowa used a closed circuit television link. Here the evaluation of the tests took place in a central station while the candidate was taking the examination. Washington used two methods of presenting audiovisual materials to candidates, both involving a computer. Of all the states which have experimented with audiovisual driving tests, only washington has installed a state-wide audiovisual test system up to 1974. Most states expressed dissatisfaction with the software component of audiovisual tests, while at the same time agreeing with the basic concept. Overall audiovisual test systems offer clear advantages, especially if the situation is understood as a learning test situation and/or the candidate has low learning ability. In addition it is possible to demonstrate complex traffic situations. Finally there is a report on the californian demonstration project. The audiovisual equipment is installed in a vehicle which traverses california following a particular route. The experiments are at present still in progress.
Abstract