As an older driver, I think it needs to be made harder now in regards to licenses, power restrictions etc. Before I get shot down in flames, it is because of the first cars available to young drivers now.
When I got my L's in the 70's, we only had to wait 2 weeks to get a full license (at the ripe old age of 16) - well before P's, log books etc.
However most of us were either still at school or earning $80-100/week. First cars for most people I knew were generally 10 year old Datsuns, Cortinas, etc. I would have loved an LJ/LH/ Torana, but could not afford one. GT XY's were grossly out of everyone's reach at $4,000 lol.
It was not as easy as today for youths to get large car loans.
I know the handling, safety and so on was abysmal compared to today, but you were only playing with 70 - 120 flywheel HP, and had to be a bit unlucky or stupid to get in trouble. By the time you had graduated to a more powerful car, hopefully your skills had improved.
Now they can go out and buy a cheap VL/VN - cheap because it has been flogged and not maintained correctly. As there is not a lot of money tied up in the car in relation to income, no big deal if you hurt it.
It also helped for us growing up in the country - whereas burnouts are now popular; we preferred spending time on clay pans and dirt tracks. Possible to hone skills in a low powered car without getting booked.
Anyway rant over - caveat lector - I did NOT say all P platers are hoons!!!
