School dropouts shouldn't drive: survey

About 50 per cent of Australians think high school dropouts shouldn't be able to get their driver's licence, a new survey says.
Almost 60 per cent of the 1200 people polled by Carsguide.com.au would consider barring dropouts from getting a driver's licence unless they leave school to learn a trade.
Forty-eight per cent of people said the government should be able to ban dropouts from getting a licence, compared to 41 per cent who opposed such a move.
The survey was prompted by similar action in the US as an incentive for young people to remain in school.
"It's certainly a controversial concept that gets many hot under the collar," Carsguide.com.au editor Karla Pincott said in a statement on Monday.
"Most are open to the idea that if teenagers are not attending high school or learning a trade, they should not have a licence."
With drivers aged 18 to 25 making up a substantial amount of the road toll, many believe that keeping school drop-outs off the road would increase safety.
But Ms Pincott said plenty of people were opposed to such a move.
"Those who are against it are extremely passionate in their opposition to linking school participation to licensing with many citing their own experience and success," she said.
Lawmakers in Minnesota are considering a bill that would not allow school dropouts to get their licence.