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Should a drivers license be a right instead of a privilege?

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Technically it is a right not a privilege (in most western countries anyway) - the difference is that a right means you are entitled to something (subject to any criteria such as passing a test of competency) wheras a privilege is something bestowed by on the basis of favour - if driving licenses were a privilege you would have to persuade the authority that they should give you one - that might be through bribery or beiing friends with them etc. The word "Privilege" stems from "private law" essentially you get treated differently on the basis of some characteristic. Privilege is how the societies were governed before we decided that wasn't a good basis on which to run a society.
ninalanyon · 61-69, T
@CheekyBadger [quote]Technically it is a right not a privilege (in most western countries anyway) [/quote]
Is this actually explicitly the case anywhere? It certainly not an explicitly mentioned right in any constitution that i am aware of (granted I am only passing familiar with three) and I suspect that it is not formulated in exactly those terms in legislation either.

Or to put it another way: i agree with you but I suspect that it might be difficult to find explicit documentary evidence.
@ninalanyon I can't speak for USA as this is a matter for each individual state to legislate for but in UK where I am it is set out in legislation - basically if you pass the competency tests and pay the fees you are entitled to drive - it isnt a lottery where you can be refused.

I'm not saying it's enshrined in a bill of rights - obviously it could be changed in future - at some point an elected government could pass a law that prevented issuance of any new licences or to cancel any issued already - but that could apply to anything - ultimately there are no limits - we found that out during covid.
ninalanyon · 61-69, T
@CheekyBadger [quote]we found that out during covid
[/quote]

Yes, the UK was quite astonishingly draconian, especially compared to where I live, Norway.