L plates query

magochre

Hi everyone,

I'm just wondering how long you kept your L plates up after getting your test or if you did keep them up at all.

I've kept mine up since passing nearly two weeks ago and I'm wondering whether it's the wisest thing. My thinking behind it is, I've only been driving my own car for 6 and a half months, with 3 months in a dual control car before that. I'd consider myself to be very much a learner still despite getting my test. Also, in April won't they be bringing in some intermediary plate which recent test passers will have to display for two years to show they're fledglings?

On the one hand, it will feel like taking off stablisers (sp?) by removing my L plates. I've found other drivers to be very patient with me. Sure, cars often keep a wider birth or rev up and pass me out to make a point but they haven't beeped or shaken fists at me. Maybe I'm underestimating my driving skills but I do know I err on the slow side in certain areas and wonder would I be bringing wrath upon myself by wearing long trousers like the Big Guys.

The other arguement is that L plates automatically create a perception among other drivers which may induce pent up impatience. Is it even legal to keep them up once I've passed my test?

Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated.

HxGH

I wouldn't say it's legal.

However, you won't have to worry about this much longer as drivers who have passed their test less than 2 years ago will have to use an R plate soon.

seniorstaff

by law you must only display L plates whilest you are driving on a learner permit, when you pass your test you are given a certificate of competency which you attatch to your application for a driving licence, only when you have your licence are you entitled to take down your L plates, hope this helps;)

seniorstaff

HxGH wrote: »

I wouldn't say it's legal.

However, you won't have to worry about this much longer as drivers who have passed their test less than 2 years ago will have to use an R plate soon.

hi, only people passing tests from april 2011 will have to display R plates, not everyone who passed in the last 2 years

HxGH

seniorstaff wrote: »

hi, only people passing tests from april 2011 will have to display R plates, not everyone who passed in the last 2 years

Well I heard different.

I asked a few people. (including mods of Boards.)

Alanstrainor

HxGH wrote: »

Well I heard different.

I asked a few people. (including mods of Boards.)

The R plate system will only apply to those who obtain their first learner permit after April 2011. It will not affect those who hold a permit before this.

NINJA EDIT

HxGH wrote: »

I asked a few people. (including mods of Boards.)

Just because we're mods doesn't necessarily mean we're right! We're just users with a ban stick tbh!

Alanstrainor

OP, afair there is no law prohibiting drivers from driving with L plates up while hold a full license. This is not the case in the UK, which is where the confusion arises i think.

Anyway, i'd say it's time to lose the training wheels:)
You have proved that you are a capable driver on the roads, so you just have to believe in yourself. You'll have to take them down at some stage. It's a completely psychological thing to assume that having the L plates will in some way help you.


Congrats on passing the test, and best of luck. And remember, just because there's no L plates there, doesn't mean you stop learning, you never stop learning!

magochre

Thank you all for the info and advice. Also, thanks for the encouragement.

Alanstrainor, I know you are absolutely right. I need to take them down at some point so why not now? Why not? because I'm terrified but you hit the nail on the head, it is an illusion that they'd offer me some sort of extra protection/help. And I think I have been clinging to that illusion. If I continue that line of thinking I'll still have them up when my lovely new ten year full driver's licence (love typing that:p) is up for renewal.

I'm very aware I'll continue learning without them so I'm going to (aim to!) take them down tomorrow. I'll let you know:eek:.

Thanks again, I really appreciate everyone's help.

**Timbuk2**

I took them down straight away. Cars did not treat me any different with or without L Plates.

Strangely, I nearly always drive with L Plates now as my brother is learning to drive in the same car and it is a lot of effort to put them up and down. Cars don't treat me any worse, or better, as a result. I always wonder if people are taken aback when I drive on the motorway though? (Maybe I should take them down in that case!)

HxGH

Alanstrainor wrote: »

The R plate system will only apply to those who obtain their first learner permit after April 2011. It will not affect those who hold a permit before this.

Just because we're mods doesn't necessarily mean we're right! We're just users with a ban stick tbh!

That's great news.

..not the ban stick news... but the, me not using R plate.... news...

challengemaster

Alanstrainor wrote: »

The R plate system will only apply to those who obtain their first learner permit after April 2011. It will not affect those who hold a permit before this.

Which means we really wont see them until nearly 2012...

I left mine up until I got the full in the post...

loobylou

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

I took them down straight away. Cars did not treat me any different with or without L Plates.

Strangely, I nearly always drive with L Plates now as my brother is learning to drive in the same car and it is a lot of effort to put them up and down. Cars don't treat me any worse, or better, as a result. I always wonder if people are taken aback when I drive on the motorway though? (Maybe I should take them down in that case!)

I drive cars, vans and buses and without doubt I find other road users more aggressive when I drive a car with Lplates.
I drop the kids to the train station each morning about 3-4 miles away, have been doing this journey for years. Naturally I drive in the same way, same speeds etc. each day, regardless of which car I use. But when I use the car with L plates its like an invitation to people to overtake me or (mostly) tailgate.
My advice to the OP would be to lose the plates immediately.

highlydebased

I've yet to meet someone who's happy to drive with L plates after passing the test!

I took mine down the second I came out of the centre, to great satisfaction.

magochre

Woo Hoo! I took the L Plates down this morning. It felt a little like when I had a cast removed from a broken arm as a child. I knew I was sorted yet I felt a bit limp and unsupported all the same.

I got over it and am delighted. Coincidentally, driving home this evening the rain was torrential for a while and being an old car it hadn't fully warmed up (that's my exuse anyway) and I stalled moving off when lights turned green. A white van behind sounded the horn which hadn't happened in all the time I had the L plates, now, if I was superstitious ....That said I'm very pleased I took them down. I just need to continue concentrating on driving well and carefully.

Thanks all

Alanstrainor

magochre wrote: »

Woo Hoo! I took the L Plates down this morning. It felt a little like when I had a cast removed from a broken arm as a child. I knew I was sorted yet I felt a bit limp and unsupported all the same.

I got over it and am delighted. Coincidentally, driving home this evening the rain was torrential for a while and being an old car it hadn't fully warmed up (that's my exuse anyway) and I stalled moving off when lights turned green. A white van behind sounded the horn which hadn't happened in all the time I had the L plates, now, if I was superstitious ....That said I'm very pleased I took them down. I just need to continue concentrating on driving well and carefully.

Thanks all

Awesome, best of luck with everything!

You'll be grand.