I got my driving license a long time ago. At that time, you presented yourself to an examiner who checked that you met the requirements. If you did, you got the driving license.
You might have, I suppose, lost your license if you subsequently no longer met the requirements, such as might happen after serious injury that impaired your driving ability or even just aging.
Now of the countries I have lived and worked in, it seems there has been a common transition in those where english is the first language.
I twigged to this when I heard of what to me was something quite odd in Australia.
A fellah had been out on a boat with mates. He had been drinking, but not all of them had. They came up to the slip and prepared to put the boat on the trailer which was hitched to the RV that his wife was driving. Up steps Mr Plod and breathalyses him. "You are done, mate". He lost his car driving license.
Along the way it seems that the idea that your ability to meet requirements when driving has changed. Previously it was justification for the issue of a license. Now, the license is something different - it is a permit. It is permission to drive which can be withdrawn at any time and for any reason. And this regardless of you having met the requirements for what was once a qualification.
So, say you have a degree or, better, a doctorate. You obtained it as a qualification by satisfying the requirements. Heaven help us if the day comes when it is regarded as a permit to be withdrawn at any time for any of a growing number of reasons.
Please note, I am aware that honorary doctorates have been withdrawn when institutions felt that the behaviour of the recipient cast a shade on the reputation of that institution. This is different. The analogy would be getting your driving license in a box of breakfast cereal, which was a common comment at one time in South Australia.
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