Do Guards REALLY enforce this?

HairyJim · 03-09-2014 12:38pm #1

I want to drive to blanch every day and I have a learner permit, getting a full soon. I wouldn't go M50 till I get the full though. I'm a good safe driver as well.
Do the Guards really enforce that there has to be someone sitting beside me with a full licence? If so what is the usual thing that would happen.
Would using L plates only attract them or would you be better of with them, then they might say "ah well at least ya have ur plates".
Thanks

OldNotWIse · 03-09-2014 12:42pm

I did this for 2 years and got away with it, but I think they are clamping down now and afaik there are a lot of points heaped onto you if you are caught. I took my plates down after about 3 months as I didn't want to draw attention to myself... and I was tired spitting on them...

SteelyDanJalapeno · 03-09-2014 12:42pm

It's illegal, dunno if they enforce it, but the risk is there.

whiskeyman · 03-09-2014 12:42pm

HairyJim wrote: »

I want to drive to blanch every day and I have a learner permit, getting a full soon. I wouldn't go M50 till I get the full though. I'm a good safe driver as well.
Do the Guards really enforce that there has to be someone sitting beside me with a full licence? If so what is the usual thing that would happen.
Would using L plates only attract them or would you be better of with them, then they might say "ah well at least ya have ur plates".
Thanks

http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/motors/unaccompanied-learner-drivers-escape-serious-fines-1.1721004

L plates would probably attract them IMO, but if you're in an accident or random checkpoint, you'd probably be in bigger trouble.

Caliden · 03-09-2014 12:44pm

Will they enforce it? Maybe.

At the end of the day the decision is up to you to make and also god help you when the high horses arrive.

OldNotWIse · 03-09-2014 12:47pm

Caliden wrote: »

Will they enforce it? Maybe.

At the end of the day the decision is up to you to make and also god help you when the high horses arrive.

They asked me to let you know they just have to finish up some pontificating about slow drivers on the motorway and they'll be over as soon as they can

HairyJim · 03-09-2014 12:51pm

Thanks lads, I'd chance it for about a month or so and do this driving test to hell, at least I don't have to go through that bloody 12 lesson thing before doing it, I'd do maybe 2 or 3 in the evening in navan.
L plates would probably attract them though.

Lucena · 03-09-2014 12:54pm

Well, technically you're not allowed to drive alone, so if you're ever in an accident, you could have a lot of problems.

You need to decide if you need to drive to Blanch (no other way of getting there for example, and it's for a job and you really need the money) in which case maybe it's worth the risk.

If it's because you don't fancy taking the bus, best wait until you have your full licence.

coolbeans · 03-09-2014 1:30pm

Look, once high horses are mentioned you're done. It wins all arguments on here. Kinda like Godwin's Law but exclusive to the Boards Motors form. The reasoning is infallible don't you see!
You're forgetting also that the OP is, by his own reckoning, "a good safe driver".

hoodie6029 · 03-09-2014 1:31pm

Just get the bus. Blanch is well served especially from Navan.
The law is there to protect you from more experienced drivers and them from you. I've seen unaccompanied learners in very sticky situations. Its just not worth it.

coolbeans · 03-09-2014 1:33pm

hoodie6029 wrote: »

Just get the bus. Blanch is well served especially from Navan.
The law us there to protect you from more experienced drivers and you from them. I've seen unaccompanied learners in very sticky situations. Its just not worth it.

Ah get off your high horse!

:pac:

OldNotWIse · 03-09-2014 1:33pm

OSI wrote: »

****ing high horse label be damned. Hope people remember this thread the next time they bitch about how high their insurance premium is. You don't get to pick and choose what laws you follow and I'm tired of this forum being flooded with threads of people advocating flagrantly flouting the rules of the road.

Actually you do. Of course, you run the risk of getting caught but you can pick and choose to do whatever the hell you like.

I fragrantly tout the law all the time

kona · 03-09-2014 1:33pm

HairyJim wrote: »

I want to drive to blanch every day and I have a learner permit, getting a full soon. I wouldn't go M50 till I get the full though. I'm a good safe driver as well.
Do the Guards really enforce that there has to be someone sitting beside me with a full licence? If so what is the usual thing that would happen.
Would using L plates only attract them or would you be better of with them, then they might say "ah well at least ya have ur plates".
Thanks

Translation: Rolling Road block.

Peanut2011 · 03-09-2014 1:36pm

OP, if you are considering driving unaccompanied and with the L plates down, you might as well not bother with insurance. After all, if you do that your insurance is void as you are driving in breach of your licence limitations.

And saying that, don't bother with motor tax or NCT (if needed). Sure the only time they will enforce that is if you are caught!

Lucena · 03-09-2014 1:38pm

OldNotWIse wrote: »

Actually you do. Of course, you run the risk of getting caught but you can pick and choose to do whatever the hell you like. I fragrantly tout the law all the time

Lynx or Hugo Boss!!

OldNotWIse · 03-09-2014 1:41pm

Lucena wrote: »

Lynx or Hugo Boss!!

Good, someone's paying attention. You missed the "tout" instead of flout - that was intentional too

oldyouth · 03-09-2014 1:41pm

HairyJim wrote: »

I want to drive to blanch every day and I have a learner permit, getting a full soon. I wouldn't go M50 till I get the full though. I'm a good safe driver as well.

I've yet to meet a learner driver here who didn't profess to be a good driver, yet every day, dozens if not hundreds of learner drivers fail to meet the standard which would judge them to be capable of driving unaccompanied.

Peanut2011 · 03-09-2014 1:43pm

oldyouth wrote: »

yet every day, dozens if not hundreds of learner drivers fail to meet the standard which would judge them to be capable of driving unaccompanied.

And biggest issue of all, they are still allowed to drive home after they failed!

oldyouth · 03-09-2014 1:49pm

Peanut2011 wrote: »

And biggest issue of all, they are still allowed to drive home after they failed!

Nope, breaking the law doing that too, if unaccompanied

Zubeneschamali · 03-09-2014 2:01pm

Peanut2011 wrote: »

OP, if you are considering driving unaccompanied and with the L plates down, you might as well not bother with insurance.

Not true, your insurance will still pay third parties, you are not driving without insurance.

They might come after you for it afterwards, though (if they thought you had a few bob).

oldyouth · 03-09-2014 2:04pm

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Not true, your insurance will still pay third parties, you are not driving without insurance.

They might come after you for it afterwards, though (if they thought you had a few bob).

He is not saying his insurance is invalid, just that you might as well break a variety of motor laws by not bothering with a policy in the first place

uptherebels · 03-09-2014 2:19pm

oldyouth wrote: »

I've yet to meet a learner driver here who didn't profess to be a good driver, yet every day, dozens if not hundreds of learner drivers fail to meet the standard which would judge them to be capable of driving unaccompanied.

That's funny cause I see loads of qualified drivers everyday that think they are good drivers as well. But they can't park properly,overtake safely,obey speed limits and seem to have severe dislike for learner/elderly/slow moving or otherwise cautious drivers. The standards of driving In this country are shocking and its not learner drivers that are the problem.

biko · 03-09-2014 2:45pm

The answer is don't do it.

Do Guards REALLY enforce this?

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