I read the following article in The New Paper wither interest,
regarding new drivers who finally have a driver's licence. Their
plight, is that they could not find trust in their newly gotten
skill - DRIVING.
Now, looking at the large pool of local fresh graduates who can't
find jobs in Singapore, it seems they're suffering the same
syndrome - Juts Pass but Given No Chance.
As such, I wonder, what is the point, in older workers upgrading
themselves when 'people' (employers in general) in Singapore, are
generally DISCRIMNATORY in practice? They DON'T give young freshies
a chance, and as well DON'T think that older workers can do the job
or stay on because they're over-qualified due to age and
experience.
Where on earth, do we go from here?? This sort of employment
mindset can only change with Governmental Intervention.
======================================================
New driver? Sorry, can't rent a car
By Crystal Chan
December 03, 2005
WHAT do you do when you pass your driving test, are eager to drive
but cannot afford to buy a car?
Rent one, of course.
But this is not so easy as most car renters will say no to new
drivers.
--Choo Chwee Hua
If you hope to borrow one, some new drivers say forget it.
One said even family members turned him down.
Which leaves these newbies wondering how to hone their
skills.
Accountant Tan Tiong Heng, 34, who passed his test on 5 Feb,
approached Singapore's biggest car-sharing business, NTUC Income's
car co-operative, but was turned down.
Mr Tan said: 'All other car rental companies I approached also
wanted drivers with at least three years' driving experience.
'I think this policy is ridiculous. If we can't afford a car and
nobody wants to rent us one, how can we get driving
experience?'
Of the four car-sharing businesses and 30 car rental companies that
The New Paper contacted, all but two declined to rent to
probationary drivers.
One company, Honda Diracc, does rent cars to probationary drivers
aged 23 and above.
A spokesman said: 'These drivers can gain experience and not lose
their driving skills as a result of the lack of practice.'
He added that Honda ICVS which runs Honda Diracc, does not assess
probationary drivers' skills as the company trusts their abilities
since they have passed their driving tests.
New drivers, among the 28,000 who pass every year, must undergo a
year of probation from the date they get their licences.
All the car-sharing businesses and rental companies which do not
accept probationary drivers cited lack of driving experience as the
reason.
Car-sharing is an hourly car rental service. It allows members to
use a car when they need it without incurring the high costs of car
ownership.
NTUC Income's car co-operative, which is Singapore's biggest
car-sharer with a fleet of 200 cars, requires all its 5,500 members
to have at least 30 months of driving experience.
Its general manager, Mr Lewis Chen, said: 'We want to reduce the
likelihood of accidents. If a car is involved in accidents, it'll
be down for a few days, depriving other members of usage.'
ComfortDelgro's three-year-old Cityspeed, Singapore's No 2
car-sharer, with a fleet of more than 100 cars and 3,000 members,
wants members with at least a year's driving experience.
Probationary drivers who want to rent will be subject to
approval.
ComfortDelgro's group corporate communications officer Tammy Tan
said probationary drivers are assessed based on their age and
employment, among other factors.
She said: 'The company wants to be sure these new drivers are
confident to handle its cars.'
WHERE DO NEW DRIVERS TURN TO?
What about the need for new drivers to gain driving
experience?
Mr Chen said new drivers could borrow cars from friends and
relatives.
'We do not think it is suitable for the car cooperative to mix the
needs of new drivers with the general needs of our members,' he
explained.
Mr Tan said that even relatives or friends have said no.
Ms Gina Yao, marketing manager of Popular Rent-A-Car, said: 'Our
insurance coverage requires our clients to have at least a year of
driving experience, because the risk factor is higher for new
drivers.
'We understand that new drivers need experience but we're
restricted by our insurance policy.'
Mr Gerard Ee, president of the Automobile Association, however,
feels that it is unfair for car-sharing operators to exclude
probationary drivers.
He said: 'The operators can consider schemes where new drivers have
to pay higher fees to offset the insurance premiums.
'After all, the operators are running a business so they have to be
cautious.
'But probationary drivers are also likely to be more careful on the
roads.'
