Question about "L" plates placement for Test

ScrubsfanChris

At the moment the L plates on the car are on the inside of the front and rear windscreen, in no way affecting my view of the road front or rear.
My driving instructor never mentioned them or the placement, friends also have them on the inside of the windscreen as do many other cars I have seen on the road.

But this site: http://www.drivingschoolireland.com/test.html
Says that they must be on the body of the car or the bumpers.

So what should I do with mine?
Thanks

SteveAdti

Front L plate top left of window
Rear L plate top right of back window

ScrubsfanChris

Thanks Steve,
I assume you mean inside left and inside right? Thats where I have them now anyway.

SteveAdti

yep thats right good luck

ADIDriving

JR (that site) is wrong. Steve is right.
But just to make sure everyone is saying the same place:
Front: top passenger side.
Back: top driver side.

J_R

ADIDriving wrote: »

JR (that site) is wrong. Steve is right.
But just to make sure everyone is saying the same place:
Front: top passenger side.
Back: top driver side.

Hi,

See:-


Rules of the Road - Driving Legally

Before taking any vehicle on to the road you MUST be able to answer 'yes' to the following questions:


# If you are using a motor vehicle other than one in category A1, A, M and W, does it clearly display proper "L" plates at the front and back?

To me at the front and back means just that, AT the front and back.

If the car is small the L plate in the windscreen will interfere with visibility.

Whilst putting the plates in the windscreen is acceptable, nevertheless I think much better if put on the body.

Unfortunately these L plates are difficult to get, the plastic cling types are the ones usually on sale.


adidriving I am not wrong, neither is my site.

prettygurrly

the magnetic plates for the car just fly off if driving over 60kph. not very clever...have them stuck to the window now after going through 6 L plates in a couple of weeks.

J_R

prettygurrly wrote: »

the magnetic plates for the car just fly off if driving over 60kph. not very clever...have them stuck to the window now after going through 6 L plates in a couple of weeks.

Hi,

There are two types of magnetic L plates.
Ones with a magnetic bar at top and bottom, these are totally useless.

Other magnetic type, which Halfords carry, have an all magnetic backing and will not fly off at any speed. (Provided they are put on clean dry metal). These can be removed/replaced easily.

Another type have a sticky back, you peel off the cardboard and stick on a clean surface. (Dunnes)

Just because everybody (well almost everyone) use the plastic clingy ones on the inside of the windscreen does not make it right. These are accepted by the examiners no problem but the windscreen should be left free of all unnecessary clutter.

prettygurrly

J_R wrote: »

Other magnetic type, which Halfords carry, have an all magnetic backing and will not fly off at any speed. (Provided they are put on clean dry metal). These can be removed/replaced easily.

thanks for the heads up. sick of the sticky stuff on the window of the car.

J_R wrote: »

Just because everybody (well almost everyone) use the plastic clingy ones on the inside of the windscreen does not make it right. These are accepted by the examiners no problem but the windscreen should be left free of all unnecessary clutter.

i dont think the plates cos a problem with view. i think teaching people about the blind spots in a car and blind spots in their eyes and blind spots in their mirrors would be more useful! (i'm referring to the general opinion, not to you personally)

J_R

prettygurrly wrote: »

thanks for the heads up. sick of the sticky stuff on the window of the car.



i dont think the plates cos a problem with view. i think teaching people about the blind spots in a car and blind spots in their eyes and blind spots in their mirrors would be more useful! (i'm referring to the general opinion, not to you personally)

Hi,

of course it is most important that an instructor not only explains fully where the unavoidable blind spots are on a car and how to compensate for them but also that they do not generate avoidable blind spots of their own.

Such as hanging air fresheners from the interior mirror, placing nodding dogs in the back window or sticking a seven inch square sheet of plastic on the windscreen.

ADIDriving

"Only tax, insurance and if applicable NCT discs should be on the windscreen."
L plates can go on the window!

"Affix " L" plates so that they are clearly visible to front and rear."
True. But they are more clearly visable on the windows. The creation of a blind spot is not important in the top corner of the window.

Note the L plate on the back window here: http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Learner%20Drivers/Driver%20Training/Essential%20Driver%20Training%20A5%20WEB.pdf

J_R

ADIDriving wrote: »

"Only tax, insurance and if applicable NCT discs should be on the windscreen."
L plates can go on the window!

"Affix " L" plates so that they are clearly visible to front and rear."
True. But they are more clearly visable on the windows. The creation of a blind spot is not important in the top corner of the window.

Note the L plate on the back window here: http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Learner%20Drivers/Driver%20Training/Essential%20Driver%20Training%20A5%20WEB.pdf

Hi,

First off I never said that L plates can not go on the windscreen. I said they were accepted.

But rules of the road say they MUST be at the front.

Before taking any vehicle on to the road you MUST be able to answer 'yes' to the following questions:

# If you are using a motor vehicle other than one in category A1, A, M and W, does it clearly display proper "L" plates at the front and back ?

Note MUST in red

From introduction to The ROTR

introduction to The ROTR

This book uses a "how to" approach and covers many of the manoeuvres identified as factors in a road crash. It uses three methods to set down clearly and concisely how the law applies to all road users.

* It uses must and must not to draw attention to behaviour the law clearly demands or forbids.

The windscreen is roughly seven feet from the front (measured it once on a polo) so the L plate will not be AT the front but seven foot back.

From Rules of the road Vehicle Safety

Rules of the road Vehicle Safety

Clear vision: Keep your windscreen and windows clean and free of clutter to make sure you can see the road and other road users clearly.

This thread was about the WINDSCREEN.

But notice it thE photo that there is NO L on the windscreen and the L is at the BOTTOM.

ADIDriving wrote: »

JR (that site) is wrong. Steve is right.
But just to make sure everyone is saying the same place:
Front: top passenger side.
Back: top driver side.

ADIDriving

J_R wrote: »

I never said that L plates can not go on the windscreen. I said they were accepted.

Ok.

Sparkie93

i seen a car today with the L plate upside down at the back lol people like that shouldnt be allowed drive :pac:

J_R

Hi,

OK, My Bad. Yet another mistake in the Rules of the Road.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2007/en/si/0719.html

plates or signs bearing the letter ‘L’, not less than 15 centimetres high in red on a white ground, in clearly visible vertical positions to the front and rear of the vehicle,

The old rule book said TO the front and back but as I quoted above the new book says AT the front and back.

When I started as a driving instructor (sixteen years ago) I did not place any L plates on the car, neither on the body or windscreen. The L's on the roof box covered the regulations as interpreted by the then RoTR. (Which should be the all road user's 'Bible')

Examiners took out my school car on test no problem for several months then one day one of them called me back into the office. He informed me another driving instructor had lodged a complaint and would I ever mind displaying an additional set of 'L' plates.

I pointed out that as per the definition of the requirements for the display of 'L' plates in the RoTR additional sets were unnecessary, he believed I was correct but said the simplest and quickest thing would be to display another set.

So I did. On the body, of course.

When the new book came out I assumed the law had been changed, or an error corrected. However due to the "Keep windscreen clear of all clutter" I will still continue to advise people NOT to place in the windscreen.

And personally, I think it looks very unprofessional to see a driving school car with "L's" in the windscreen.

DrivingTestTips: Brian

I always tell learners to put the "L" plate on the front and back windows.

Because the learner would then know if one has falling off their car.

From your website J_R:

Affix* " L"* plates so that they are clearly visible to front and rear. Place on the bumper or car body.* (Only tax, insurance and if applicable NCT discs should be on the windscreen.) *

This is not true, I have had testers tell me they like to see the plates high up so other drivers can see them. That's where most people would expect to see them.

prettygurrly

DrivingTestTips: Brian wrote: »

I always tell learners to put the "L" plate on the front and back windows.

Because the learner would then know if one has falling off their car.

that's a good point. you're no idea if your L plate has fallen off if your bonnet is one that curves under you, like mine....we only knew the plates with two magnetic strips had flown off because they blew over the car. i know the halford ones work better...

OwenCo

Had my L plates on the window passing the test today. No problem.

J_R wrote: »

The windscreen is roughly seven feet from the front (measured it once on a polo) so the L plate will not be AT the front but seven foot back.

Front windows arent front windows? Does this mean we dont have front wheels and back wheels also. We have three foot from the front and three foot from the back wheels?

J_R

DrivingTestTips: Brian wrote: »

I always tell learners to put the "L" plate on the front and back windows.

Because the learner would then know if one has falling off their car.

From your website J_R

Quote:
Affix* " L"* plates so that they are clearly visible to front and rear. Place on the bumper or car body.* (Only tax, insurance and if applicable NCT discs should be on the windscreen.) *

This is not true, I have had testers tell me they like to see the plates high up so other drivers can see them. That's where most people would expect to see them.

Hi,

This is not true, I have had testers tell me they like to see the plates high up so other drivers can see them.

I do not agree. When I read that at first I though must be a really really tiny examiner. His eyes must be at or below the bonnet line. Then saw it related to other drivers. As other drivers windscreens will be more or less level with the other cars so on problem regarding height..

Putting L plates up high or on the windscreen does not increase their visibility. It is of paramount importance that the registration number plate be placed in the optimum readable position. So why are they not put up high on the windscreen ? Perhaps being at the front is the best position. ? Most governments worldwide appear to think so. Also I can not see an examiner encouraging people to put L plates on the windscreen.




FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY

http://www.drivingschoolireland.com/image/plate/plate3.jpg
http://www.drivingschoolireland.com/image/plate/plate3.jpg
http://www.drivingschoolireland.com/image/plate/plate3.jpg
http://www.drivingschoolireland.com/image/plate/plate5.jpg
http://www.drivingschoolireland.com/image/plate/plate3.jpg
http://www.drivingschoolireland.com/image/plate/plate3.jpg
http://www.drivingschoolireland.com/image/plate/plate3.jpg
http://www.drivingschoolireland.com/image/plate/plate3.jpg

Because the learner would then know if one has falling off their car.

Correct type do not fall off, so no need to worry.

Whenever I post on here and get into an argument, I follow the forum rules and post links to my source. And when I posted verbal advice I sent a PM to a moderator with his name and position in the RSA (Chief Tester)

Forum Charter
* Back up your statements - if you make a bold statement then please provide some kind of evidence to back up what you are saying.

This has never ever been reciprocated. Therefore last post on this or any other subject unless links provided.

Finally to the OP, have updated my website page.

DrivingTestTips: Brian

If L plates are on windscreen, front and back.
When a learner is in traffic,
More than JUST the driver behind can see the "L" plate.

if the L plates are low down, only the driver just behind can see them.

Del2005

J_R wrote: »

The windscreen is roughly seven feet from the front (measured it once on a polo) so the L plate will not be AT the front but seven foot back.

Don't know what type of Polo you had, but the Mk 4 Polo is only 12ft long and I can't see two rows of seats fitting in 5ft.

J_R

Del2005 wrote: »

Don't know what type of Polo you had, but the Mk 4 Polo is only 12ft long and I can't see two rows of seats fitting in 5ft.

Hi

OK, fair ppoint, memory not what it was. That was more than thirteen years ago.

J_R

J_R wrote: »

Hi

OK, fair ppoint, memory not what it was. That was more than thirteen years ago.

Hi,

really bad memory, so on mature recollection:-

That long gone incident was about the stop line at a junction not L plates in windscreens.

A driving instructor had an article published in a newspaper calling the county council stupid for putting the white lines so far back a driver had no view of the junction.

I wrote in a letter stating they were not the stupid ones, drivers were stopped behind the white line out of the danger zone, they could then creep forward into the potential danger .

If a driver drove into the junction and stopped where he had a view there would be seven feet of his car protruding into the junction/danger zone.

Do not remember how I calculated this distance, maybe I simply misread the tape, or measured half way to the "B" pillar or perhaps added a foot or two as the other driving instructor had a much larger car.

When L's in windscreens came up here only clearly remembered measuring, results =seven foot (or think I do).