Unaccompanied Driving

007driver

Last week I was my friends car ( she has a learner permit). A garda car stopped us and took both our names and said we must bring our driving licenses to the local station. I wasnt driving , does anyone know what will happen to me ??

Wishbone Ash

Nothing. It is the responsibility of the Learner Permit driver to ensure that they are accompanied by an appropriate person.

MrTsSnickers

Do you have a full licence? I would imagine nothing will happen to you as it is not your responsibility to ensure that the person with the learner permit is adhering to the law. If your friend was driving unaccompanied I'm reasonably certain that it's her problem. Take your licence to the station anyway.

Citizens Information doesn't say much about passengers http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/motoring_1/driver_licensing/learner_driving_permits_for_cars_and_work_vehicles.html

Fourteen

Nothing. No one gets done for that, wouldn't worry about it.

007driver

I dont have a full licence. I was told if I dont go within ten days I will be sent to court. So I have to go before monday

Faith+1

007driver wrote: »

I dont have a full licence. I was told if I dont go within ten days I will be sent to court. So I have to go before monday

On what charge?? You were a passenger OP. Unless you told the guard you were her accompanying driver??? If not, you'll be fine.

Fourteen

Just to be clear, OP, can you explain the situation in a little bit more detail?

As in, why were you stopped to begin with? Checkpoint or what? Your friend wasn't driving badly, right?

Seriously, don't worry, you're not going to be in trouble. It's a minor offence for your friend (rarely taken seriously) at worst. I can't see how you will be in trouble at all.

007driver

She is a good driver, shes taking her test soon, they just decided to stop us, they didnt say anything about the driving it was all about driving unaccopamnied, so maybe they just to young people. I was asked for my driving licence to which i said I dont have one. I was then told I have 10 days to bring my licence to the station and if I font go with in 10 days I will be sent to court.

TheTwiz

If you have an accident are you covered by insurance if you're an unaccopamnied driver?

Reg'stoy

Fourteen wrote: »

Just to be clear, OP, can you explain the situation in a little bit more detail?

As in, why were you stopped to begin with? Checkpoint or what? Your friend wasn't driving badly, right?

Seriously, don't worry, you're not going to be in trouble. It's a minor offence for your friend (rarely taken seriously, must be a prick of a guard) at worst. I can't see how you will be in trouble at all.

It's not really a minor offence as it carries the possibility of a €1000 fine plus even before they get a full licence they will have had a driving conviction following a court appearance with the subsequent increase in insurance costs.

As for your opinion on the Garda who was just doing his/her job I would appreciate it if you would amend those comments as they're not really helpful to the OP.

Mr 007driver, reading betwwen the lines did you tell the Garda that you had a full licence knowing that your friend needed an full licence holder accompanying driver. If you didn't apologies, but your friend will have to admit anyway that they didn't have an accompanying driver when stopped and may very well face a court appearance. The reason names are taken (including yours) at a checkpoint, is to prevent a full licence holder producing their licence at the station claiming to be the accompanying driver as the name on said licence will have to match the Guard's notes.

007driver

I told him I hadnt got a full licence, hopefully its only a quick check to make sure I dont have a full licence.

Buffman

007driver wrote: »

I told him I hadnt got a full licence, hopefully its only a quick check to make sure I dont have a full licence.

Well then, if you at no point told him you were the accompanying driver, you have no need to produce anything and there is nothing you can be brought to court for as a passenger. Are you sure he asked for both of your licences and not just the drivers? Your friend can expect a summons even if she produces a licence.

007driver

there was two gaurds there one was talking to her and was talking to me, i was asked for my full driving licence I said i dont have one, then he said I have 10 days to bring it to the station he asked me which station i will be going to , and then said i will have to go to court if i dont go to the station, I dont really know what to say to the gaurds when I go to the station. I have been stopped before in my othere friends car but they just said drive safe and let us go. Very confused.

Wishbone Ash

007driver wrote: »

I dont really know what to say to the gaurds when I go to the station

Just say that you were asked to present your learner permit and do so. People are required to do it all the time. The duty Garda will enter you details in a big book and you'll hear no more.

You shouldn't have to present it anyway. Sounds like the Gardai were a bit over the top referring to court appearances etc as it is the driver who is responsible for ensuring that they are unaccompanied.

threein99

TheTwiz wrote: »

If you have an accident are you covered by insurance if you're an unaccopamnied driver?

Im pretty sure your insurance is void if you crash and your unaccompanied. I would imagine it would be the first thing the insurance company would ask.

DriversEd

007driver, do you have a full license or not? as if you dont, then you have nothing to worry about, and if you do, you have nothing to worry about. the only possible problem that the gardai are checking for is if you were trying to help your friend by saying you were an accompanying driver, when you're not entitled to be.

on the gardai doing their job, or even if this is a 'valid' offence, a learner driver is not entitled to drive alone because they are not good enough yet!!! when they have passed the test to get their license, away with them! but we accept this as a society wrongly in my opinion. driving is a privilege earned for good reason, and if we all want to have safer roads, this is an important part of it. things will only get better if we enforce those laws which impact on road safety, and change the behaviour of drivers.

be safe

Babooshka

DriversEd wrote: »

007driver, do you have a full license or not? as if you dont, then you have nothing to worry about, and if you do, you have nothing to worry about. the only possible problem that the gardai are checking for is if you were trying to help your friend by saying you were an accompanying driver, when you're not entitled to be.

on the gardai doing their job, or even if this is a 'valid' offence, a learner driver is not entitled to drive alone because they are not good enough yet!!! when they have passed the test to get their license, away with them! but we accept this as a society wrongly in my opinion. driving is a privilege earned for good reason, and if we all want to have safer roads, this is an important part of it. things will only get better if we enforce those laws which impact on road safety, and change the behaviour of drivers.

be safe

I disagree. And yes I am a learner. I am driving over 2 years and on a second learner permit. I have deliberately not gone out alone as I am not comfortable with breaking the law and putting others or myself at risk. This is where my agreement with you ends. Almost three years later, I am still driving accompanied ( not having applied for my test). Even though I am competent according to a few driving instructors and regualr accompanied licensed drivers, I still fail to feel accomplished or confident in my driving skills. The reason I haven't gone for the test yet is because I know that I still don't feel I can drive the car, and won't feel like I can drive the car until I have driven the car alone and my faith in my own judgement as a solitary driver is sound.

I have had about 20 lessons and although I find putting the practice hours in hard when the people who accompany me are busy, I still have a lot of hours put in. I spend most of my time avoiding incompetent drivers who cut through me, don't indicate or overtake the L plate aggresively. They're not learner drivers, they're just the bad drivers on the road. There's loads of them on our roads and in order to get over the nerves and the heart cutting accross you every time you encounter the unexpected, I believe that hours are necessary driving alone, whether anyone else thinks I have no right to do that, when I have put so much work into it and want to pass my test, is their own opinion (yes... and that of the law, the law hasn't always been right though just because it's written).

But I guarantee you after the lessons, reading, practising, I am safer than a lot of these people you say have won the privilege of driving 25 years ago and who are never forced to refresh their knowledge of the road. A driver I considered to be competent and very good recently said to me that a Garda stopped her one day and said "do you know you shouldn't be driving over the hatching". She replied "hedging...what hedging..I don't see any hedging?" and proceeded to look around for bushes. I think I'm a fair bit better than that...in theory, but until I get some more practice in (alone is important) I won't be able to pass my test. I am not saying I will because I am not sure I can actually do it without a conscience attack, but this is my arguement for needing to.

whatlliwear

It's quite frustrating when you can drive capably but need more practice in order to pass the test - but find it hard to get out there enough to pass. I'm well able to drive now but I'm not progressing as well as I could be as i don't want to break the law + drive unaccompanied.. I feel this law is really setting me back.. now that the evenings are brighter though I'm getting out a lot more. I think its time to apply for the test..

DriversEd

babooshka, just read your post, and, hve a little confidence nd apply for the test, you sound like someone i'd be vey happy to share the road with, and what you haven't learned by the time you get passed, you're consciencious enough to learn as you go. thats all we need on the road is people who are willing to constantly want to improve as they progress in life. if only everyone believed in constant improvement!!
But on the fact that older and supposedly experienced drivers are bad drivers, can unfortunately be very true. but its our attitude as drivers thats bad, not neccessarily the skill. we as a people just don't seem to want to do rule of law and consideration for others at all! it would be very good if there was a constant testing system for professional drivers on a frequent basis, and for regular drivers on a less frequent basis, and these tests should have consequences for bad skill and attitude. and if enforcement was better, that would also help. but this is the world we live in, so we must deal with it as we see it.


whatlliwear, the law is there for a reason, and its so everyone who is learning and not quiet up to standard is supervised, for safety's sake, you know?
some things in life are frustrating, but they're there for a reason, and some steps in life need to be earned, as IMO, a drivers license is a large responsibilty, and should be earned.

Max Power1

threein99 wrote: »

Im pretty sure your insurance is void if you crash and your unaccompanied. I would imagine it would be the first thing the insurance company would ask.

:rolleyes:
This old rubbish again/

For the umpteenth time on this forum you ARE covered unless you sign up to a type of cover that specifically states otherwise.

ec18

Just a question someway related to this. I have my full license about 8/9 months. I was wondering if I am a passenger in a car with someone with a learners permit and we are stopped at a check point is there any fine that I am liable for?

(I am not acting as an accompanying driver just as a passenger going a to b)

starlit

You might be as you need to have had your full licence for aprox 2 years could be 3 now and be over 21!

Have heard that there might be new garda checkpoints at schools, colleges and test centres for those driving unaccompanied or without an L plate. Its to be enforced in parts of the the country on 1st March of this year.

**Timbuk2**

ec18 wrote: »

Just a question someway related to this. I have my full license about 8/9 months. I was wondering if I am a passenger in a car with someone with a learners permit and we are stopped at a check point is there any fine that I am liable for?

(I am not acting as an accompanying driver just as a passenger going a to b)

No, as far as I know, it is only the driver who will be held liable!

Doovdela, you need to have your full licence for 2 years to act as an accompanied driver, and there is no requirement to be over 21 - in theory you could be as young as 19 and a half and have your full licence for 2 years!

starlit

Sorry about that. It's 2 years at the moment according to the rules of the road but I think they are proposing to stretch it to 3 years in the future not sure. Definitely saw it some where regarding proposals when it comes to learning to drive. Was sure you had to be over 21 to be an accompany driver, have seen it somewhere either online or in a book.

I thought I had seen it when the EDT came out, definitely the case for the UK whether its the case here in Ireland I am unsure, was sure it was though. When its in the UK I was sure it was the case here too.

Mister Jingles

doovdela wrote: »

You might be as you need to have had your full licence for aprox 2 years could be 3 now and be over 21!

Have heard that there might be new garda checkpoints at schools, colleges and test centres for those driving unaccompanied or without an L plate. Its to be enforced in parts of the the country on 1st March of this year.

source ?

starlit

Its to be introduced in Kerry. Source: Local Paper and radio. There are links online but cannot get into them.

Wishbone Ash

doovdela wrote: »

Its to be introduced in Kerry

Road Traffic Regulations are applicable nationwide. They can't be tweaked to suit local areas although the method of enforcement may differ from one area to another.