"If it were up to me, the license - much like the plate and the insurance - would be specific to the vehicle."
A gun-control advocate made the same argument about gun licenses. If you got a license for a Ruger 44 Super-redhawk, it would not be valid for any other type of gun.
"I can drive my manual Saturn SC1 much better than I'd be able to drive my best friend's big automatic truck."
Practice, practice, practice.
"Take the test in a certain vehicle, get licensed for that vehicle only. Wanna get licensed to drive your husband's behemoth? Then you gotta pass the test in IT, not just in your Prius."
Ever travel on business? Ever rent a car when you get there? How many licenses can you carry in your wallet?
Well, why not? I can shoot my Smith & Wesson .38 revolver with far more ease than I can Bacon's big .45. (Or maybe it's a .44.)
My "Saturn SC1" license would let me drive equivalent cars. That would NOT include my fiance's brand-new Infiniti G35, or my best friend's pickup, neither of which drive one single bit like my SC1.
It would, however, include my best friend's wife's SC1 (should she choose to loan it to me), which is the same car as mine except a year younger.
If you have a sedan license, you rent a Town Car. If you have a coupe license, you rent some sort of coupe,
Not difficult at all.