So, with all the L drivers off the road ...

[Step_7]

We have the R-Plate system up here - for the year after passing your test you're supposed to display an "R" plate instead of the L-Plate and your are supposed to be restricted to 45mph for the year as well.

I believe it is a sensible system but in reality it is ignored by many and almost impossible to police.

[madbrummie]

We have the R-Plate system up here - for the year after passing your test you're supposed to display an "R" plate instead of the L-Plate and your are supposed to be restricted to 45mph for the year as well.

I believe it is a sensible system but in reality it is ignored by many and almost impossible to police.

That just seems like a recipe for an accident though with people pottering along at 45 on 60-70mph roads.

[ken79]

Was talkin to a garda friend of mine who said that they will be targeting the little boy and girl racers and also anyone who is on their third provisional licence without doing a driving test... eg. anyone who booked a test in order to obtain a third licence and then cancelled the test. He said that the the ordinary "joe soap" ie. people traveling to work, picking up kids from school etc. would more or less be left alone, for the time being.

[1lightningd]

Thats fine Ken, but if you meet another guard they might have a different idea. It really is up to the cop you meet on the day.

[swampette]

Well, a friend of mine works in the police station and according to her, the official line is that they're targeting the people on their first provisional - she asked some of the guards and she's on her second provisional herself and they told her that she is permitted to drive by herself - Alvin is right though - you could be unlucky and get caught by a guard who has a chip on his shoulder - there doesn'y seem to be an official line on what's permitted and what's not.
I think it's just luck of the draw.

[ken79]

I agree. Its up to the guard on the day i suppose.

[insomniac]

No it's not. One and three are not legal, two is. Silly rule, result of a silly system, but them's the rules...

[ken79]

No it's not. One and three are not legal, two is. Silly rule, result of a silly system, but them's the rules...

One and three what?

[ONED]

Provisionals!

I agree, if its against the law to drive unsupervised - then it dosn't matter what age you are, or how may licenses you've held - you shouldn't be on the road PERIOD!!!

Unlicensed, uninsured, No MOT/NCT they are plagueing our roads, and they don't give a to$$ for anyone who may become an unfortunate victim from their actions! :x

[Derfinn]

The new law prescribes that ALL provisional license holders must be accompanied by a qualified driver with at least 2 yrs experience. It's closing the loop hole that previously allowed people which held a 2nd provisional the right to drive unaccompanied.

In the car park of my apartment block, there were L plates in some of the cars I'd expect to have held provisionals. On Tuesday morning, all these L plates disappeared!

[ken79]

I remember reading somewhere a few years ago that a driver could remove their l plates when they got their second provisional licence.

I agree Oned. Theres far too many foreign reg cars on the road with no insurance and theres not a lot being done about them.

[minidragon]

There is noting wrong with L :x well some any way ! I have done
some stupid thing like going around a roundabout in 4th gear Opps

[Bawnee]

I heard the other day an 'L' driver got stopped, on their 1st provisional, got €1000 fine and fined €880 for no 'L' plates up. They also got spotted for driving above the speed limit! Ouch!

Also agree with OneD, there's a Mondeo only over the road from me on GB plates well over a year, and has nearly wiped me off the road more than once! Nothings being done there.

The Gardai, are allowed use their disgression in certain respects, as in if a test is pending, say the following week. So i'll be interesting to see how things work out.. if it means less deaths and less boy racers challenging me at lights I'm up for that!

We all had to learn!! Sinead.. I've been there!