10,000 motorists over 60 driving without full licences

Permabear

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Simon Jester

Of course, being over 60, there is always the danger of dying of old age before you get a test date.

mikemac

And a legal loophole means that people holding learner permits have to prove only that they have applied to sit a driving test to update their permit. They are free to later cancel the exam and continue driving as a 'learner'.

That loophole has been there for years and was discussed here many times.

It could closed in the morning if they wanted to, but still not done?
Oops, the lads in the Dail have a few weeks break so maybe next month

Alanstrainor

Simon Jester wrote: »

Of course, being over 60, there is always the danger of dying of old age before you get a test date.

Consider yourself warned. Anymore off-topic posts like that will result in a weeks ban.
Now, back on-topic, to be honest i cant say i'm surprised by that figure. Those drivers had been driving for decades without full licenses, although i'm hearing more people being called to court over driving unaccomp, the way the new law was implemented meant that there was no fear for the consequences, i mean there was no initiative to clamp down on learner drivers after the law came into force.
Welcome to Ireland aye?

Permabear

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Random

Why can't driving on your learners permit illegally be judged the same in the eyes of the law as driving without a license full stop?

Why do insurance companys honour these policys? (other than under their obligations in the RTA)?

Permabear

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Random

donegalfella wrote: »

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Yes, but if they're in an accident and they're on their own in the car the damages to their car shouldn't be paid out in my opinion.

Permabear

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Random

donegalfella wrote: »

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Insurance companys have to cover third partys but I really don't see how they should cover them in that situation either.

My insurance booklet says if I'm drunk I'm not covered.

Alanstrainor

Random wrote: »

Insurance companys have to cover third partys but I really don't see how they should cover them in that situation either.

My insurance booklet says if I'm drunk I'm not covered.

Indeed. I think we should make a distinction here. Instead of saying you are not insured full stop. You are insured in the sense that third party claims will be covered, however it comes down to the policy whether your own damages will be covered in an accident, where by you are breaking the law.

Wishbone Ash

donegalfella wrote: »

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The article doesn't really differentiate between LPs issued and LPs in use. Surely if the figures above refer to those detected, something should have been done?

The truck drivers must be 'owner-drivers' as I can't see any haulage company employing a learner. Usually their insurance company won't allow it.

The 102 driving buses is worse again as it's illegal to carry passengers if the driver is a learner. Again, I suspect that they must also be 'owner-drivers'.

It ironic that anyone over 62 years who was 'on the ball', could have bought their driving licence at the Post Office and ticked the categories that they required (pre test era).I suspect a large portion of those on truck and bus Learner Permits may have originally had an appropriate licence but let it lapse by more than 10 years and were forced to return to a Learner Permit (although that begs the question - shouldn't they be back to a basic LP?)

Permabear

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Beau x1

Simon Jester wrote: »

Of course, being over 60, there is always the danger of dying of old age before you get a test date.

I thought this was funny and really lighthearted if anything TBH, I feel that an infraction was a bit extreme but its not my case to take it up with a moderator.

Anyway, on topic, I'm not surprised really, I'm more interested in seeing the stats for overall L drivers driving unaccompanied.

Alanstrainor

Beau x1 wrote: »

I thought this was funny and really lighthearted if anything TBH, I feel that an infraction was a bit extreme but its not my case to take it up with a moderator.

Anyway, on topic, I'm not surprised really, I'm more interested in seeing the stats for overall L drivers driving unaccompanied.

There was no infraction given
Anyway feedback is the place to take it if there had been something you felt was unjust.

getz

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Consider yourself warned. Anymore off-topic posts like that will result in a weeks ban.
Now, back on-topic, to be honest i cant say i'm surprised by that figure. Those drivers had been driving for decades without full licenses, although i'm hearing more people being called to court over driving unaccomp, the way the new law was implemented meant that there was no fear for the consequences, i mean there was no initiative to clamp down on learner drivers after the law came into force.
Welcome to Ireland aye?

the bigest shock came when i first drove in ireland -was to see a 8 year old driving a tractor down a main road in wicklow-and old ladies geting out of their cars and leaving them parked in the middle of the road in carnew-well this is ireland

jhegarty

mikemac wrote: »

That loophole has been there for years and was discussed here many times.

It could closed in the morning if they wanted to, but still not done?
Oops, the lads in the Dail have a few weeks break so maybe next month

How would you go about closing the loophole ?

Permabear

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jhegarty

donegalfella wrote: »

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The problem with that is that you then need to keep the waiting list well under 12 months.

And given the serious budget problems you will have over the next few years that could be an issue.

Don't forget 15 month waits were at the height of the celtic tiger.

Permabear

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sunnyside

donegalfella wrote: »

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That's a good idea, I had a test appointment when I couldn't drive because I had to apply to renew my learner permit which had expired from when I previously attempted to learn a few years before. It would have made more sense to make me do a theory test.