Driving unnacompanied

squinchy

Hello.

I know there are alot of threads about learning to drive while unaccompanied and that..but I havn't come across my situation as yet. I am a fully qualified driver - albeit with a full license restricted to automatic. I have been driving for about 3 years now and have had no incidents/accidents. I am trying to migrate to a manual transmission car and am just enquiring as to what people think about this.

I understand that I am a learner and by the letter of the law I am to be accompanied. But if stopped by a guard I would be able to produce my full license, provisional license, will have my l-plates up, will have have valid tax/insurance/nct and evidence of having booked my driving test and just in-waiting, do you think he/she will seriously do me for driving unaccompanied?

(I have been out and about in the manual for a good 2 months now, have taken lessons and that, and am able to drive it pretty well.

Squinchy.

Alanstrainor

You know this already, but here it goes.

Plain and simple you are breaking the law when driving unaccompanied in a manual Category B vehicle with just a Learner Permit. You are subject to the same penalties as anyone else.

The fact that you have a full, but restricted license does not change this fact unfortunately.

What is your car situation at the minute? Are you driving an automatic car currently? Or do you only have a manual?

VagnerLove

squinchy wrote: »

But if stopped by a guard I would be able to produce my full license, provisional license, will have my l-plates up, will have have valid tax/insurance/nct and evidence of having booked my driving test and just in-waiting, do you think he/she will seriously do me for driving unaccompanied?

It's possible (obviously!) but unlikely.

squinchy

have a manual now. I had an automatic up to a few days ago - it sat down on me - twas near 20 years old

Speedy199

ALot of my friends drove unaccompanied but not to be cool or 'cruize' around they just needed to get to work cause parents were busy with work themselves. I know they could of taken public transport and all but they drove instead and never got encounter with the guards. Its all luck really and where you are. If you take into account of where guards will be usually (checkpoints etc.). I also never heard of people getting the 1000 euro fine or whatever amount is issued but that doesnt say you wont get it. Some guards to take it seriously some just wave you on. Ill tell you this my friends uncle is guard for the last 10 or so years and when he asked him about driving unaccompanied he told us that as long as you dont have youe friend sshouting abouse out the window or speeding around the place or just plain acting the nut then he wouldnt stop you but bear in mind that one guard.

shangri la

I'm still trying to find out if you get penalty points on top of the fine.

Mister Jingles

Regarding doing the test in an automatic/semi-auto, are you allowed to use tiptronic ?

Alanstrainor

Mister Jingles wrote: »

Regarding doing the test in an automatic/semi-auto, are you allowed to use tiptronic ?

Of course. But it's still an automatic, and you'll be restricted.

Feardorca

squinchy wrote: »

Hello.

I know there are alot of threads about learning to drive while unaccompanied and that..but I havn't come across my situation as yet. I am a fully qualified driver - albeit with a full license restricted to automatic. I have been driving for about 3 years now and have had no incidents/accidents. I am trying to migrate to a manual transmission car and am just enquiring as to what people think about this.

I understand that I am a learner and by the letter of the law I am to be accompanied. But if stopped by a guard I would be able to produce my full license, provisional license, will have my l-plates up, will have have valid tax/insurance/nct and evidence of having booked my driving test and just in-waiting, do you think he/she will seriously do me for driving unaccompanied?

(I have been out and about in the manual for a good 2 months now, have taken lessons and that, and am able to drive it pretty well.

Squinchy.

I wonder would insurance cover be affected >

Mister Jingles

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Of course. But it's still an automatic, and you'll be restricted.

Thanks Alan, I understand that, in some case though auto's are nicer to drive using tiptronic as opposed having the gear stick in D especially for overtaking.

Mister Jingles

Feardorca wrote: »

I wonder would insurance cover be affected >

In most cases no but it depends on the insurance company.

DidYouSquirt?

Traffic Corps will charge you without a doubt. Know someone that was stopped (Traffic corps) without L-plates or accompanying driver got sent a letter saying its struck out of court but has to pay a €60 fine. Regular guards are a little more lenient - in my own experience and being a passenger in other cars they encourage you to apply for the full test. But you could get one d1ckhead..

I think this accompanying driver law is fine but its not feasible imo when they put things like the 'EDT' in your way.

Mister Jingles

DidYouSquirt? wrote: »

Traffic Corps will charge you without a doubt. Know someone that was stopped (Traffic corps) without L-plates or accompanying driver got sent a letter saying its struck out of court but has to pay a €60 fine. Regular guards are a little more lenient - in my own experience and being a passenger in other cars they encourage you to apply for the full test. But you could get one d1ckhead..

I think this accompanying driver law is fine but its not feasible imo when they put things like the 'EDT' in your way.

No matter what, TC or a regular garda it depends on the guard them self imo.

Not really sure I understand your second comment. Do you mean that if EDT exists then there should be no need for an accompanying driver ?

DidYouSquirt?

Mister Jingles wrote: »

Not really sure I understand your second comment. Do you mean that if EDT exists then there should be no need for an accompanying driver ?

Yes or the other way around too.

They put enough in your way before you can do the test, having to pester someone to sit beside you at all times is a bit much imo

If you must have an accompanying driver you should be allowed to sit the test without all the requirements (12 lessons, 6 months) people are going to take lessons before hand anyway.

You probably wont agree but that's how i feel about it