Why There Should Be A Test or License to Be A Parent

It seems in the past few months, I've seen quite a few stories of terrible parents and wondered why is it we have to pass a test and get a license to drive a car but not to raise a child?

Some of the stories I've seen are listed below:

Florida Mom Scalds Baby  source: foxnews.com
Baby's Room Grow House  source: huffingtonpost.com
US Marshals Capture Des Moines Man accused of sexual abuse  source: desmoinesregister.com
Iowa mom accused of drowning 15 month old son  source: desmoinesregister.com
Woman Guilty of Child Abuse  source: 10news.com
Father killed three month old  source: dailymail.com

And this is just the tip of the iceberg.  There are so many other stories out there of innocent children, murdered or abused at the hands of their own parent(s).  I just don't get it. Why is there not a class that we have to take at least stating the obvious ways to keep our children safe? Why is there not a test we have to take showing that we understand that it's not ok to punish your children by putting them under scalding water?  Yes, these are all things we should know but we should all know to stop at the red octagon sign as well but we still have to take a test to prove we know it.

Ok, reality is, I know there will never be a test.  I know that there are always going to be bad parents and unfortunately, more children are going to be abused and/or killed by their irresponsible parents but what is the answer then?  We've had awareness groups for years and I whole-heartedly stand behind them rooting them on but it seems that's not working.  What else can we do?  Tougher penalties for offenders.  Tougher laws on the books not allowing these parents to have more children?  What's the answer?