Cars with "R" Plates

The Real B-man

I have seen a few Irish Cars with "R" Plates AFAIK theres no requirement for them to be put on your car at present

Anybody shed any light?

colm_mcm

R plate means recntly qualified driver?

Maybe they miss the old L plates?

Holsten

Weird.

Inside out L plates maybe?

From the north?!

HJL

colm_mcm wrote: »

R plate means recntly qualified driver?

Maybe they miss the old L plates?

You could be right, new full licence holder who may not feel confident on the road yet so put them up to show other drivers incase they still stall the car at junctions or something.
Or it could stand for 'Really stupid' and they put the plates up on the wrong way around!

Wishbone Ash

In Northern Ireland, a person who has passes a driving test is required to display orange 'R' plates on a white background for 1(?) year. It means they are "Restricted" to certain conditions including a lower speed limit.

Duiske

Yes. It means restricted. They cannot exceed 45 mph on any road for 1yr after passing the test. Not sure why they would be displayed on cars with southern plates though.

The Real B-man

Strange one alright!

Creamy Goodness

you sure that it was just someone who stuck two L plates in such a way that the red makes a square, the amount of cars i've seen with this is unreal.

they should be stopped and stampped on the forehead saying "not allowed take test ever" same goes for putting L plates on wrong way round and cutting the white of them.

E92

Aren't they talking about bringing in R plates for those on their Learner Permits too, or like the thing about learners driving unaccompanied, has that been postponed?

Dee369369

I just got my date for my test today and the lady told me I wouldn't have to wear an r plate and she had to even go ask some1 cos she didn't no wat i was on about. but all my friends said it's cumin in??it just seems ridiculous neway!

Wishbone Ash

E92 wrote: »

Aren't they talking about bringing in R plates for those on their Learner Permits too, or like the thing about learners driving unaccompanied, has that been postponed?

It is a possible proposal for the future but there are no plans to implement it yet.

Wishbone Ash

Dee369369 wrote: »

I just got my date for my test today and the lady told me I wouldn't have to wear an r plate

But even if the R plate was introduced, you still wouldn't be required to display it for the test. It would be required to be displayed only if successful - i.e. replace the L plate with an R plate..

mondeo

The version of this I have heard is as follows....
In the future when a newly qualified driver hits the road he will still
have to be accompanied by someone for a further 2 years....whilst
displaying some sort of "R" plate thing.

Think I read this on irishmoc.org

Steve

Maybe it's a requirement for the recently qualified southern driver who wants to visit the north?

L1011

Cremo wrote: »

you sure that it was just someone who stuck two L plates in such a way that the red makes a square, the amount of cars i've seen with this is unreal.

Those are usually Northern-spec plates with an orange R on the back of the plate for reversing it! Nothing stupid about it, just strange to have them down south. I did...

L1011

stevec wrote: »

Maybe it's a requirement for the recently qualified southern driver who wants to visit the north?

Absolutely not - full licence is a full licence across the EEA.

Steve

MYOB wrote: »

Those are usually Northern-spec plates with an orange R on the back of the plate for reversing it! Nothing stupid about it, just strange to have them down south. I did...

Maybe they stuck them on back to front without realising... I had a rant about this recently.

Dee369369

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

But even if the R plate was introduced, you still wouldn't be required to display it for the test. It would be required to be displayed only if successful - i.e. replace the L plate with an R plate..

That's what i mean i asked if i passed would i have to wear it after and she said no.and looking up the net i can't find anything about it either.it's all a bit strange like there must be some truth in it if everyone keeps saying it.

Esel

Dee369369 wrote: »

That's what i mean i asked if i passed would i have to wear it after and she said no.and looking up the net i can't find anything about it either.it's all a bit strange like there must be some truth in it if everyone keeps saying it.

The earth is flat. Pass it on.

Dee369369

esel wrote: »

The earth is flat. Pass it on.

Cheeky cheeky

Wishbone Ash

Dee369369 wrote: »

the net i can't find anything about it either.it's all a bit strange like there must be some truth in it if everyone keeps saying it.

It somewhere on the RSA site. I'll see if I can dig it out.

Wishbone Ash

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

It somewhere on the RSA site. I'll see if I can dig it out.

There is a mention of it here on page 48.

L1011

stevec wrote: »

Maybe they stuck them on back to front without realising... I had a rant about this recently.

If theres light coming through the car, you can usually see the R through the plate too. Makes the entire thing look like an O or a box, basically.

Mine have long since been binned but you do see them about a bit, look a bit closer and you'll see the different colour (The R is orange, or meant to be) and the fact its not perfectly aligned right...

Dee369369

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

There is a mention of it here on page 48.

Thanks for that couldn't find it before.but it says no restriction at present and it doesn't say when it's coming in....hopefully after june 24th...if i pass!:p

orbital83

E92 wrote: »

Aren't they talking about bringing in R plates for those on their Learner Permits too, or like the thing about learners driving unaccompanied, has that been postponed?

It's a stupid idea - let's hope it's been postponed indefinitely.

More people driving around at 45mph means more overtaking is required amongst "fully qualified" drivers, thus increasing the risk factor for everyone else on the road.

Esel

John J wrote: »

It's a stupid idea - let's hope it's been postponed indefinitely.

More people driving around at 45mph means more overtaking is required amongst "fully qualified" drivers, thus increasing the risk factor for everyone else on the road.

You could also say "Inexperienced drivers restricted to certain maximum speeds = decreased risk factor for everyone else on the road".

How do you think they would balance out?

FuzzyWuzzyWazza

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

There is a mention of it here on page 48.

Cheers, I'll have a read of that tonight!

mondeo wrote: »

The version of this I have heard is as follows....
In the future when a newly qualified driver hits the road he will still
have to be accompanied by someone for a further 2 years....whilst
displaying some sort of "R" plate thing.

Think I read this on irishmoc.org

I can understand the harsher penalties and restrictions being placed on newly qualified drivers, but I don't agree with the requirement to be accompanied (if it is introduced), I mean you have been certified competent to drive by a tester after all.

towel401

Duiske wrote: »

Yes. It means restricted. They cannot exceed 45 mph on any road for 1yr after passing the test. Not sure why they would be displayed on cars with southern plates though.

what a drag. imagine being stuck behind one of them

L1011

towel401 wrote: »

what a drag. imagine being stuck behind one of them

Thankfully, most Northern A-roads are dual carriageway or have regular climbing lanes, and even B-roads are usually straight enough and with broken lines (actually they rarely use solid white lines, just change the length to warn of danger) so you can usually pass. That and very few people actually keep the required speed.

It'd be carnage down here, one R-plate doing 70kmh on the N81 coupled with a nervous driver behind them = everyones doing 70kmh till they get home. Which is probably why theres been no similar speed restrictions suggested for ours.

MrPudding

MYOB wrote: »

Thankfully, most Northern A-roads are dual carriageway or have regular climbing lanes, and even B-roads are usually straight enough and with broken lines (actually they rarely use solid white lines, just change the length to warn of danger) so you can usually pass. That and very few people actually keep the required speed.

It'd be carnage down here, one R-plate doing 70kmh on the N81 coupled with a nervous driver behind them = everyones doing 70kmh till they get home. Which is probably why theres been no similar speed restrictions suggested for ours.

Having been through the R plate system in the North, I have to say I reckon it is not a bad idea. To be honest I am not sure quite how forcefully the 45mph limit is enforced, but when you have the plates up you are very aware of it and I know in my case I was reasonably careful about my speed whilst restricted.

Any motoring offences committed when on R plates, or even while on L plates, will generally result in an extension of the R plate period. I appreciate that some of you are really really important and the thought of some tosser driving slowly, because he has just passed his test and is legally required to do so, and is delaying your journey by possibly whole minutes, fills you with righteous indignation, but hey, it is not all about you.

Yes it might be a pain, but if it actually does something worthwhile why not give it a go.

MrP

MrPudding

MYOB wrote: »

It'd be carnage down here, one R-plate doing 70kmh on the N81 coupled with a nervous driver behind them = everyones doing 70kmh till they get home. Which is probably why theres been no similar speed restrictions suggested for ours.

Are you not fed up with things that might be good for driving in Ireland not being implemented because "there would be carnage?"

Left on red, amber before green speed restrictions for newly qualified drivers.... Not a realistic option because a large portion of the driving public in Ireland appear to be unable or unwilling to drive with any degree of competence or consideration for others. A very sad state of affairs.

MrP

pickarooney

Is it like the French A-plate, which you put up after passing your test for two years and restricts you to 10-20kph under the max speed limits and gives you six points on your license for the duration of the probationary period?

DrBB

MrPudding wrote: »

Having been through the R plate system in the North, I have to say I reckon it is not a bad idea. To be honest I am not sure quite how forcefully the 45mph limit is enforced, but when you have the plates up you are very aware of it and I know in my case I was reasonably careful about my speed whilst restricted.

I know this is dredging up an old thread!

I have just passed a test in the north, so have the 1 year of R plates ahead.

What I can not for the life of me find out is how the R plate restriction is applied, from a legal point of view.

I am assuming is is a restriction on the licence that is only applicable within NI? As I presume it is not recognised elsewhere, therefore not applicable?

Or is the speed requirement some how applied wherever one is, mainland UK or the south?

<ponder>


B

(As a side note, I will probably be required as part of work (based in Dublin) to drive all over the shop, driving at 45mph from Dublin -> Sligo would make one cry!)

Esel

I'd hazard a guess that it only applies in the UK.

Alanstrainor

+1 to what esel said, can't imagine a garda pulling you over for anything with an R plate up, other than driving too slow:p.

L1011

MrPudding wrote: »

Are you not fed up with things that might be good for driving in Ireland not being implemented because "there would be carnage?"

Left on red, amber before green speed restrictions for newly qualified drivers.... Not a realistic option because a large portion of the driving public in Ireland appear to be unable or unwilling to drive with any degree of competence or consideration for others. A very sad state of affairs.

MrP

Left on red and amber before green do not come close to making drivers do 30km/h below the speed limit in a country that has about 10 crawl lanes... if we had crawl lanes / passing places on national roads like NI has I'd consider it saner..

Wishbone Ash

DrBB wrote: »

I have just passed a test in the north, so have the 1 year of R plates ahead.................

................. I will probably be required as part of work (based in Dublin)

Alanstrainor wrote: »

+1 to what esel said, can't imagine a garda pulling you over for anything...........

...although driving a UK registered vehicle while 'based in Dublin' may raise his eyebrows!

MYOB wrote: »

if we had crawl lanes / passing places on national roads like NI has I'd consider it saner..

Are you serious? In my experience, it is almost impossible to pass a slow moving vehicle in NI as the roads have very few long straights and don't generally have hard shoulders. Overtaking slow vehicles in the ROI is much easier.

cormie

What's this left on red business? Are you allowed go left on red in NI? I didn't know that at all Is it any red or are there specific indicators at the reds where it's allowed?

Wishbone Ash

cormie wrote: »

What's this left on red business? Are you allowed go left on red in NI? I didn't know that at all Is it any red or are there specific indicators at the reds where it's allowed?

AFAIK it only where there is flashing amber left turn arrows - same as here in the ROI.

L1011

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Are you serious? In my experience, it is almost impossible to pass a slow moving vehicle in NI as the roads have very few long straights and don't generally have hard shoulders. Overtaking slow vehicles in the ROI is much easier.

What roads are you driving on? Nearly all trunk roads have intermittent stretches of dual carriageway, there's crawl lanes on most hills, out of major towns, etc. And because they don't have at-grade hard shoulders* they don't have the obnoxious rural-Irish habit of driving half in, half out of a hard shoulder and expecting people to pass you in to oncoming traffic. They also don't abuse solid white lines anywhere near as badly as county councils down here.

*nearly all the roads in NI I regularly use DO have hard shoulders, of the low kerb, gravel trap variety - no good for driving on.

cormie wrote: »

What's this left on red business? Are you allowed go left on red in NI? I didn't know that at all Is it any red or are there specific indicators at the reds where it's allowed?

Its a US thing mostly, but its obviously right on red there - you can proceed through a red light to go right if the way is clear and theres no pedestrian crossing - although you do usually have to treat it as a stop sign not a yield sign.

Wishbone Ash

MYOB wrote: »

What roads are you driving on?

Mainly in Derry and Tyrone.

L1011

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Mainly in Derry and Tyrone.

They starve the Catholic areas of roads

Go drive around even the Ballygobackwards areas of Antrim. There's B roads which are higher quality than some of our national primaries! Would be up to our WS2 standard if the shoulders were level and black rather than curbed and red tarmac or gravel.

Was once pushed on an 8 mile detour around the Ballymoney bypass for roadworks on B and unclassified roads - wasn't a fun use of time but at no stage did the roads get worse than the N56 or N77...

Vincent1987

It is a legal requirement in the North of Ireland to display an "R" for "restricted driver". For one year after passing your driving test, you are restricted to 45mph on all roads (including motorways). L drivers are restricted to 45mph too but not allowed on the motor way. L drivers can drive with someone who has a full license for 2(?) years beside them. If the original poster was visiting Ireland, he or she could have meant the North of Ireland which is as you know part of the UK. By Irish plates, they could have meant Northern Irish plates (eg. ILZ 2363). In which case it is the law for newly passed drivers to display the R plate.

If however the poster was in Republic of Ireland and saw a car with Irish plates displaying the R badge... the only reasoning would be if the car is owned by a Northern Irish UK citizen but was bought in the South so it has Irish plates. My friend bought an Irish plates car (He and I both live in the North). When he passed his test, as a N.Ireland citizen he has to display the R badge for a year.

Hope this helps clear up the confusion.

Alanstrainor

This thread is 4 years old. Please don't drag up old threads!