You still had to pass the test and plenty of people had multiple failures, I knew someone who failed 5 times. I take your point that the test was easier, for example, I took my test in a small market town, population at the time was around 4,000. The roads were quiet and the test consisted of just 6 things, reading a couple of number plates, following the examiners directions, reversing around a corner, doing a hill start and an emergency stop and finally answering a few questions on the highway code. Oh yeah, we also had to do hand signals . Whole thing done and dusted in no time at all.
Ok, I was being slightly sarcastic with the cornflake comment, sorry I presumed that was obvious. But, as you say above, do you really think the above test qualifies you to drive on todays roads?
I am sure you dont, hell even my test some 25 years ago doesnt, but I would have zero problem with retaking a test. I could even fail, but I know I would pass again, its only the people who know they wouldnt pass that would complain.
There are also plenty of people of a younger generation that shouldnt be driving, but, they all run the risk of being caught, when did anyone see an elderley driver being done for dangerous driving etc and by that I mean, driving at substatially below the speed limit, poor lane discipline, signals etc