L plates - do you heed them?

iamstop · 23-09-2011 1:18pm #1

I'm just wondering if you give L drivers a bit more consideration and leeway for error.

After years on 2 wheels I've graduated to 4.

clintondaly · 23-09-2011 1:19pm

you got stabilizers?

Professey Chin · 23-09-2011 1:21pm

I think people whove actually done their test in the last 5/10 years would give them a lot of way compared to most. Anytime Ive seen someone constantly pressure them its usually a middle-aged/older person whod probably fail their test attempting now

mikom · 23-09-2011 1:28pm

iamstop wrote: »

L plates - do you heed them?

Only on hen nights.

Mr. Manager · 23-09-2011 1:28pm

iamstop wrote: »

I'm just wondering if you give L drivers a bit more consideration and leeway for error.

Always. Anyone who has a full license now was in their position at some point.

It's nice to be nice

Unique User Name · 23-09-2011 1:29pm

I'd always try to give them some leeway. I was that soldier at one time.

cython · 23-09-2011 1:33pm

iamstop wrote: »

I'm just wondering if you give L drivers a bit more consideration and leeway for error.

After years on 2 wheels I've graduated to 4.

Generally I will, but I try to give all drivers enough space to be able to react to their mistakes, as not having L plates up is in no way the sign of a competent driver! There are exceptions to my forgiveness though - if I see L plates on a car that has nobody accompanying the driver, or on a motorway, I am less forgiving of mistakes, as either the plates are not for this person, or they feel that the laws don't apply to them. Either way, they have surrendered any extra consideration that L plates might otherwise have granted them.

cyrusdvirus · 23-09-2011 1:34pm

yes, purely because you never know what they are going to do next, accompanied or not

punk77 · 23-09-2011 1:50pm

iamstop wrote: »

After years on 2 wheels I've graduated to 4.

4 wheels g-o-o-o-o-o-d, 2 wheels b-a-a-a-a-a-d.

iamstop · 23-09-2011 2:20pm

punk77 wrote: »

4 wheels g-o-o-o-o-o-d, 2 wheels b-a-a-a-a-a-d.

Animal!

Lando Griffin · 23-09-2011 2:22pm

The same asses who dont give L drivers space are asses to other drivers.
Eg. Just last day I was waiting to join a queue of traffic, it was like every second car was letting a car join, until my turn. A middle aged lady looked at me as I was about to join and she smirked, and parked right on top of the yellow box thing, blocking me from turning right, and continued with her smirk.

Wertz · 23-09-2011 2:26pm

Only the ones in instructors cars...the rest of the permanent L plate brigade, especially those unaccompanied, I pay the same heed to as those with "Baby On Board" stickers...best to be avoided by overtaking at the earliest opportunity before they slow you down or do something else stupid.

GavRedKing · 23-09-2011 2:28pm

I've been driving nearly 7 years now, 5 years full license and the GF is driving nearly a year on an L Plate, shes insured under my car also so from time to time when she uses my car she puts up the L plates.

The other night I gets stopped at a Garda checkpoint, goes through the usual, checks NCT, Tax, Insurance, its all in order, when he asks for my license he looks at for a few seconds before asking me why I had L plates up, I had completly forgot to take them down, he gives me a lecture about having them up and wouldnt listen to my story.

paddyismaddy · 23-09-2011 2:33pm

iamstop wrote: »

I'm just wondering if you give L drivers a bit more consideration and leeway for error.

After years on 2 wheels I've graduated to 4.

i beep them off the road

CrazyRabbit · 23-09-2011 2:35pm

As a motorcyclist, I treat every other driver as if they were a learner driver and/or out to kill me.

SoupyNorman · 23-09-2011 3:05pm

Wertz wrote: »

...I pay the same heed to as those with "Baby On Board" stickers...

I do too, but I only watch them to see if they are driving safely themselves.

More often then not they're not.

orourkeda · 23-09-2011 3:07pm

They help in identifying potential road rage victims

ofcork · 23-09-2011 8:37pm

What about learners who dont display l plates?

Dartz · 23-09-2011 9:00pm

Stall at traffic lights with L plates on...... patience and quiet waiting.
Stall at traffic lights in a car with no L plates on. Get horned out of it.

Wasn't even a learner in either car.

Fluorescence · 23-09-2011 9:23pm

This thread is full of lies. Anyone who's learned to drive in the last 5 years will tell you that if you've L plates up on your car, you're a magnet for abuse from other drivers. My aunt was out driving a few weeks back (hadn't bothered to take her daughter's L plates out of the windows) and she was astonished at the amount of road rage people hurled at her. She never experiences that as a regular driver.

People see the sign, roll their eyes and beep the car horn as if to say, "FFS, a learner. How dare they have the audacity to be in my vicinity!"

Sweenball · 12-10-2011 12:39pm

Are the Gardaí still enforcing the rule that a driver on a provisionall license must accompanied by an experienced driver?

4leto · 12-10-2011 12:45pm

iamstop wrote: »

I'm just wondering if you give L drivers a bit more consideration and leeway for error.

After years on 2 wheels I've graduated to 4.

I do'
But the reason learners have to have them on their car is so the guards will know if the driver is breaking restrictions placed on learner drivers.

Things like, they are not allowed on a motorway, they are not allowed drive on their own without an experienced driver in the car with them and others.

Oranage2 · 12-10-2011 12:46pm

Only way they'll learn is to put them under pressure in a dangerous situation so I actually tail gate them at extreme speed while flashing my lights and beeping.

Never once have I got a thank you note for my public service

jokettle · 12-10-2011 12:50pm

I've only had my full licence for a year or so, and I can clearly remember the abuse and lack of consideration that other drivers would throw at me. They weren't reacting to mad driving on my part; it's as though the red L to them is a red flag to a bull. Taxi drivers were by far the worst!

As a result, I'm extra nice to learner drives. It's so horrible to be the victim of someone's "Ah sure, they have to learn somehow, harr harr harr" excuse to be an assh*le. And as mentioned previously, these assh*les are usually middle-aged men who couldn't figure out how a roundabout worked if they were plonked in front of a tv playing that RSA instructional ad for 3 days straight.

VenusPlays · 12-10-2011 1:37pm

I'd always be considerate to a learner driver. I had a tough time when I was a learner first (I'm blaming being a blonde

) I know what its like to stall at a roundabout or lights and get blasted out of it by idiots or be tailgated by someone who wants to tear past you even though you are doing the speed limit. I would never do that to someone else. We were all learners once!

hondasam · 12-10-2011 1:43pm

Sweenball wrote: »

Are the Gardaí still enforcing the rule that a driver on a provisionall license must accompanied by an experienced driver?

Yes they definitely are. I would always be patient with a driver with L plates,it's not fair to put more pressure on them.
I would hate to think someone was doing their test and I was the cause of making them nervous and failing.
we were all learners at some stage.

force eleven · 12-10-2011 1:55pm

Hate them at hen parties.

newuser89 · 12-10-2011 2:08pm

Im a learner driver of 3 months now.havent noticed the abuse.but in fairness i probly only stalled once at lights.ive driven to cavan from dublin a couple a times with accompanied driver and im confident now.only thing is these 12 lessons which i definetly dont need, its so ridiculous.maybe i could do two lessons for bad habits but the new method for full licence is beyond a jk.anyone know away past the 12 lessons

duckielover · 12-10-2011 2:18pm

im a learner driver, and on my test that i failed it was a horrible day pouring rain big puddles etc, i was about to turn down a 2 way street of main street which should be a one way its so small, i had turned down and this man in a big mondeo comes bolting up and doesnt even give me a chance to carry on he was so insistent on getting passed that he would not reverse back so we both could fit through instead he went up on kerb and smirked at me when he got passed,
i think l plates get alot of abuse as i have been driving on my own and people have done very stupid things as i was overtaking a car on a road with my indicator on, a car from behind me decided to come out from behind at the same time and overtook me while i was overtaking somebody else,

Sky King · 12-10-2011 2:28pm

Yes, I heed L-plates. Specifically ones that are back to front and upside down, sideways etc.

Anybody too retarded to correctly attach a large L sticker to their car should not be allowed to be in charge of it on public roads.

dazftw · 12-10-2011 2:39pm

Ah yeah you'd have to give learners a bit of space, either that or overtake them. I have my full license over a year and a half now and while I was confident enough when I started, my gf who's just learning now isn't as much.

We had a bad night last week and we switched places so I could drive home and for about 5 mins some guy was up my hole on a stretch of road so close if I had of braked he would have hit the back of the car. What made it worse was other people were overtaking him and her car to go past!

She was already upset at making some mistakes, I don't want to imagine what she would have been like if she had been driving.

I just don't understand some people..

OldGoat · 12-10-2011 3:03pm

I give 'em grief.
I make no exceptions for learners. It's part of their learning proscess. If they do something stupid or unsafe then I let them know about it as I would any other driver. To do anything else is to do them a disservice as they need to learn the reality of driving rather then the myth that is the cossetted rose-tinted, 'everything is wonderful' world of civil and friendly drivers.

James Forde · 12-10-2011 3:25pm

OldGoat wrote: »

I give 'em grief.
I make no exceptions for learners. It's part of their learning proscess. If they do something stupid or unsafe then I let them know about it as I would any other driver. To do anything else is to do them a disservice as they need to learn the reality of driving rather then the myth that is the cossetted rose-tinted, 'everything is wonderful' world of civil and friendly drivers.

You were beaten as a child weren't you?

0O7 · 12-10-2011 3:33pm

Depends.... if they are on their own and make a massive dangerous fu*k up i think they deserve no break....
if they had a full driver with them they may not have made the mistake!

f they are with somebody and i can 'presume' its a full licence driver then yes i would forgive them etc if they cause an error...

Giselle · 12-10-2011 3:38pm

If you're stopped at lights behind and L-plater, on an uphill slope, you'd be nuts not to give them extra space. Those uphill moves are tough for beginners.

I always give them loads of room, but then I do like a lot of space between me and the car in front.

I get frustrated when I see an L driver speeding or overtaking dangerously, because they just don't seem to appreciate the danger they put themselves or other drivers in. I guess expanded perception comes with experience.

Diabhal Beag · 12-10-2011 3:47pm

I'm a Learner driver ATM and I find that when I go uphill and I have to stop that most drivers don't give a **** let alone maybe a metre or two space.

Giselle · 12-10-2011 4:50pm

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

I'm a Learner driver ATM and I find that when I go uphill and I have to stop that most drivers don't give a **** let alone maybe a metre or two space.

If you're ever in front of me, I'll give you two metres to make up for it.:)

mossyc123 · 12-10-2011 5:01pm

Sweenball wrote: »

Are the Gardaí still enforcing the rule that a driver on a provisionall license must accompanied by an experienced driver?

Not in my experience.

It could be different for those who started after April 2011 when the new Learner Permit regulations came in...

Im on my 2nd Provisional at the moment and was caught speeding recently (on the Motorway)

The Traffic Corps Garda just gave me the standard fine and 2 penalty points.

He noted I was on a Provisional but just muttered something about it being OK because it was my 2nd Provisional...

Don't really think that they do enforce it but others may have stories of when they did...

starbelgrade · 12-10-2011 5:02pm

The bad thing about learner drivers is that they tend to get in the way.

The good thing about them however, is that they are easy to over take.

woodchuck · 12-10-2011 5:09pm

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

I'm a Learner driver ATM and I find that when I go uphill and I have to stop that most drivers don't give a **** let alone maybe a metre or two space.

Same thing keeps happening to me! (learning for less than 3 months; always with L plates and experienced driver with me). There's a hill near me with a stop sign at the top and I'd be lucky for some people to leave a foot of space behind me

One time as I was taking off from this stop sign somebody overtook me AS I was turning the corner :O I'm happy for people to overtake me on the road if I'm going too slow, but not if it's a situation that's unsafe for both of us

There are also people who have been very good and keep their distance etc. I find a lot of people tend to fall into one of two categories.

Diabhal Beag · 12-10-2011 5:27pm

Giselle wrote: »

If you're ever in front of me, I'll give you two metres to make up for it.:)

You are one of the nice ones.

starlit · 12-10-2011 6:04pm

woodchuck wrote: »

Same thing keeps happening to me! (learning for less than 3 months; always with L plates and experienced driver with me). There's a hill near me with a stop sign at the top and I'd be lucky for some people to leave a foot of space behind me One time as I was taking off from this stop sign somebody overtook me AS I was turning the corner :O I'm happy for people to overtake me on the road if I'm going too slow, but not if it's a situation that's unsafe for both of us

There are also people who have been very good and keep their distance etc. I find a lot of people tend to fall into one of two categories.

Though I have been driving a good few years but still a learner driver but only really getting into the swing of it the past few months, even with a lot of experience on the road and having a very experienced accompany driver with me I have met many full licensed drivers over taking me at very dangerous situations like at a very dangerous bend for instance.

I don't mind them over taking me if they think I am too slow or that I am not going as fast as them, hate driving too fast but always keep close to the required speed limit. Even if I am keeping close to the speed limit they still overtake me! Some cars be on top of me or too close to the tail of my car or overtake me dangerously or when there is a sign no overtaking they still do it. Have met a couple of bad drivers in my time. So you aren't alone woodchuck!

I am not as bad though regarding space to manoeuvre though I like to be given enough space to do it but I wouldn't be as bothered like I used to if a car was behind me as I have more control of the car and have mastered the basics, got over the nerves and more confident. I am more aware just sometimes dealing with some situations can be a nightmare but I know what to do if there is ever a crisis.

For me is rushing things and I end up stalling or that I take too long to turn or go on a roundabout as I am waiting for the traffic to clear. Sometimes cause more of an obstruction but hate being a nuisance to other drivers but I know myself like I do try to get out of that sort of situation as best I can without other drivers going into a rage. Though less likely to panic now just able to deal with the situations in my stride what ever about anyone else I am still only learning and that goes with mistakes in tow so what about it!

I am very courteous to other learner drivers as they are in the same boat as me whether or not its them driving the car or not. And I always will be courteous even after I get the full licence!

Don't forget even after passing your test and having a full licence and no matter how experienced you are, you are still learning!

kelle · 12-10-2011 6:35pm

Of course I do, because I'm not a moron that believes I was born knowing how to drive.

ZombieBride · 12-10-2011 6:46pm

When I was learning to drive there was once a van driving up my ass, swerving back and forth behind me, and honking. really intimidating me, I was in an instructors car covered in L-Plates. The instructor made me pull over and rang to get the number of the company that was written on the van, then rang the company to report the driver for what he was doing.

westendgirlie · 12-10-2011 6:56pm

Can't believe the amount of people who are admitting to driving alone on a provisional. Do the bloody test!

mossyc123 · 12-10-2011 7:03pm

westendgirlie wrote: »

Can't believe the amount of people who are admitting to driving alone on a provisional. Do the bloody test!

Did it, didn't pass, doing it again soon.

No skin off your nose if I can use the Car I payed for, the Insurance I pay for and the Motor Tax I pay every year.

Don't have a personal assistant to travel around with me everywhere I need to go.

Oranage2 · 12-10-2011 7:09pm

mossyc123 wrote: »

Did it, didn't pass, doing it again soon.

No skin off your nose if I can use the Car I payed for, the Insurance I pay for and the Motor Tax I pay every year.

Don't have a personal assistant to travel around with me everywhere I need to go.

Well you should really, you've already proved you're unable to drive so why put other peoples lives in danger?

mossyc123 · 12-10-2011 7:11pm

Oranage2 wrote: »

Well you should really, you've already proved you're unable to drive so why put other peoples lives in danger?

Perfectly able to drive.

Not yet sufficiently able to execute skills necassary to pass a test though...

So in the near future when I walk out of the Test Centre having passed I will go from being a danger to the general public to not.

If only life was so simple...

Son Of A Vidic · 12-10-2011 7:26pm

Don't worry mossy, there's a lot of muppets out there on full licenses that haven't a fúcking clue. You can usually spot them easily enough at roundabouts.

mossyc123 · 12-10-2011 7:32pm

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

Don't worry mossy, there's a lot of muppets out there on full licenses that haven't a fúcking clue. You can usually spot them easily enough at roundabouts.

Thanks

Im not worried anyway... my L Plates are there to be seen, if the Gardai want to stop me they will.

El Horseboxo · 12-10-2011 7:35pm

I'll only blow someone out of it if they put my life or car at risk such as pulling out in front of me and forcing me to jam on the brakes or breaking a right of way on a roundabout. The amount of people that take risks at roundabouts are unbelievable. A few feet away from them and they're trying to get by you.

Somebody stalling at lights, going slightly under the speed limit or needing more time for turns isn't going to harm me. So I don't care.

L plates - do you heed them?

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