Driving alone

Pessimist

Just wondering if anyone else on their Learner's Permit won't drive by themselves without a qualifed driver next to them. I'm from another country where it is strictly policed, so don't feel comfortable driving alone until I pass my test. I'd just worry so much in case I caused a crash and hurt someone. Anyone else out there like me? I feel like I'm the only one!

Don't worry, I never drove on my own either, always brought a 2 year+ qualified driver with me

fasttalkerchat

You're 100% right not to. Hopefully this will be tightened up on soon and insurance companies will stop covering people who do this. It should be a 1 year bad if caught IMO.

DylanII

I'm sure there are many many people like that. I personally don't think it's a good idea. I think people who drive on their own generally become better drivers. Always having someone there can create a dependency.

DylanII

DylanII wrote: »

I'm sure there are many many people like that. I personally don't think it's a good idea. I think people who drive on their own generally become better drivers. Always having someone there can create a dependency.

That's ridiculous.

Yeah, after you pass the basic competency test that is the driving test. THEN you can go off on your own and become a better driver. The rule isn't there for fun.

DylanII

bluewolf wrote: »

That's ridiculous.

Yeah, after you pass the basic competency test that is the driving test. THEN you can go off on your own and become a better driver. The rule isn't there for fun.

It's not for everyone but I think that worked best for me. I was a much worse driver when my parents were in the car. Shouting and panicking at every little mistake, which caused me to panic.

My friend recently passed her test and she doesn't feel comfortable driving without someone there to help her along. She always had someone with her.

DylanII

DylanII wrote: »

It's not for everyone but I think that worked best for me. I was a much worse driver when my parents were in the car. Shouting and panicking at every little mistake, which caused me to panic.

So you get a better qualified person. A qualified instructor, other relatives, etc.

My friend recently passed her test and she doesn't feel comfortable driving without someone there to help her along. She always had someone with her.

Right. And now that she's passed her test, she's certified to be able to go off on her own probably not crashing into anyone. And she'll quickly pick up driving on her own, just like the rest of us did. It doesn't mean she's a great driver, it means she can continue learning on her own.

DylanII

bluewolf wrote: »

That's ridiculous.

Yeah, after you pass the basic competency test that is the driving test. THEN you can go off on your own and become a better driver. The rule isn't there for fun.

bluewolf wrote: »

So you get a better qualified person. A qualified instructor, other relatives, etc.


Right. And now that she's passed her test, she's certified to be able to go off on her own probably not crashing into anyone. And she'll quickly pick up driving on her own, just like the rest of us did. It doesn't mean she's a great driver, it means she can continue learning on her own.

She actually has crashed. She drove onto a path and into a pole when she thought a bus was going to hit her. I never hit anything. I know it's different for everyone but I that's what worked for me and always having someone with her clearly didn't work for her.

Faith+1

Love the question and your username OP!

Owryan

On a learner permit, drove from Kilkenny to Carlow unaccompanied today with a garda car behind me for most of the journey, never even stopped me . Had L plates up too .

Stark

DylanII wrote: »

She actually has crashed. She drove onto a path and into a pole when she thought a bus was going to hit her. I never hit anything. I know it's different for everyone but I that's what worked for me and always having someone with her clearly didn't work for her.

If she's that **** a driver after reaching the very basic competency standard, imagine what she would have been like driving around on her todd before that. That's what the law is there for.

DylanII

Owryan wrote: »

On a learner permit, drove from Kilkenny to Carlow unaccompanied today with a garda car behind me for most of the journey, never even stopped me . Had L plates up too .

They generally don't care unless they see you doing something wrong or if you don't have your plates up.

Owryan

DylanII wrote: »

They generally don't care unless they see you doing something wrong or if you don't have your plates up.

Yeah, i ll be honest any time i ve been stopped at a garda c/p and thats fairly often my drivers staus is never questioned, tax/insurance n nct is all they ever check .

Daisy03

bluewolf wrote: »

DylanII wrote: »

I'm sure there are many many people like that. I personally don't think it's a good idea. I think people who drive on their own generally become better drivers. Always having someone there can create a dependency.

That's ridiculous.

Yeah, after you pass the basic competency test that is the driving test. THEN you can go off on your own and become a better driver. The rule isn't there for fun.

I wouldn't call the driving test a basic competency test! That is doing a dis-service to everyone here who worked very hard to improve their driving skills and pass the test. Passing is not easy. Obviously, after passing there is still a learning curve but I would not agree that it is a basic test.

clanpiper

Daisy03 wrote: »

I wouldn't call the driving test a basic competency test! That is doing a dis-service to everyone here who worked very hard to improve their driving skills and pass the test. Passing is not easy. Obviously, after passing there is still a learning curve but I would not agree that it is a basic test.

The driving test can indeed be difficult, especially without formal training. But the fact stands that it consists of the basic elements required to drive on our roads. An examiner tests your knowledge of the rules of the road and ability to handle the car in the test. The reason there are certified test routes is because the examiners know that all the basic elements of the test can be fulfilled within the test route.
Avoid the misinterpretation that 'Basic = Easy'. This is definitely not the case.
'Basic = The minimum knowledge needed'. After the test you should still be learning and avoid the dangerous habits and attitudes that are prevalent on our roads.
Set the right example.

arleitiss

Half of people on these forums who are learners wont even admit that they drove on their own because they know that ****storm is coming after saying: "I drive on my own" which is ****ing stupid how community starts to waffle and lecture you whats wrong and whats bad. I am from another country as well, I had an accompanied driver who blew my brain out my constant talking, pressing **** like hazard lights on traffic lights saying "I was just testing" constantly bothering me, I decided rather not to drive with him, while driving so much distracted by him later when I drove alone I realized how really hard driving with him was. So I am driving on my own, it's ****ing **** law, basically it's: Either pay thousands to instructor to accompany you or be native Irish who's family and friends are here. Now go on guys, start lecturing me how bad I am, what an idiot I am and so on, that's what I noticed people are sure capable of here, and I am just 100% sure that there are learners on this forum that Say they don't drive alone, but I bet they ****ing did at least once. I got stopped by garda quite a lot on checkpoints already they never gave a crap about my license, nor I was pulled over for crap driving, nor I got any fines which means I am not a "driving death" to others.

Rothmans

arleitiss wrote: »

Half of people on these forums who are learners wont even admit that they drove on their own because they know that ****storm is coming after saying: "I drive on my own" which is ****ing stupid how community starts to waffle and lecture you whats wrong and whats bad. I am from another country as well, I had an accompanied driver who blew my brain out my constant talking, pressing **** like hazard lights on traffic lights saying "I was just testing" constantly bothering me, I decided rather not to drive with him, while driving so much distracted by him later when I drove alone I realized how really hard driving with him was. So I am driving on my own, it's ****ing **** law, basically it's: Either pay thousands to instructor to accompany you or be native Irish who's family and friends are here. Now go on guys, start lecturing me how bad I am, what an idiot I am and so on, that's what I noticed people are sure capable of here, and I am just 100% sure that there are learners on this forum that Say they don't drive alone, but I bet they ****ing did at least once. I got stopped by garda quite a lot on checkpoints already they never gave a crap about my license, nor I was pulled over for crap driving, nor I got any fines which means I am not a "driving death" to others.

I agree with you except with the bold print. If anything, the Irish system is by far the most reasonable system in that regard, which is reflected by the second bolded part of your post [ i.e. Gardaí in Ireland aren't assholes when compared to these 'zero tolerance' (an essentially meaningless bunch of words) asshole police forces in other countries].


With regard to driving on your own. It's defo the best thing to do. You learn to drive properly, making decisions by yourself. As others have said, it is often quite dangerous to have backseat drivers accompanying learners. Very dangerous indeed.
Driving on your own gives you the necesarry confidence and practice prior to a test, and is also far more practical.
Its all well and good saying how important it is to have ADIs telling you what to do etc, and thats fair enough, but you won't have you're instructor beside you advising you on the correct way to drive during the test. I'm sorry but a lot of people here need to get real tbh.

A better system than the accompaniment rule would be that, after a learner has held a licence for 6 months, and has had at least 6 EDT lessons, he can drive alone. However, in order to encourage people to apply for the test, every provisional after the first should only last 1 year and should be about €30 or so ( compared to a ten year full licence for €25).

That would be a much fairer system.

arleitiss

arleitiss wrote: »

Half of people on these forums who are learners wont even admit that they drove on their own because they know that ****storm is coming after saying: "I drive on my own" which is ****ing stupid how community starts to waffle and lecture you whats wrong and whats bad. I am from another country as well, I had an accompanied driver who blew my brain out my constant talking, pressing **** like hazard lights on traffic lights saying "I was just testing" constantly bothering me, I decided rather not to drive with him, while driving so much distracted by him later when I drove alone I realized how really hard driving with him was. So I am driving on my own, it's ****ing **** law, basically it's: Either pay thousands to instructor to accompany you or be native Irish who's family and friends are here. Now go on guys, start lecturing me how bad I am, what an idiot I am and so on, that's what I noticed people are sure capable of here, and I am just 100% sure that there are learners on this forum that Say they don't drive alone, but I bet they ****ing did at least once. I got stopped by garda quite a lot on checkpoints already they never gave a crap about my license, nor I was pulled over for crap driving, nor I got any fines which means I am not a "driving death" to others.

There's no need to accuse everyone of lying just because you had a bad experience.
By the way the lessons with a qualified instructor are now mandatory so... forking out either way. For your own safety and that of everyone else.

arleitiss

bluewolf wrote: »

There's no need to accuse everyone of lying just because you had a bad experience.
By the way the lessons with a qualified instructor are now mandatory so... forking out either way. For your own safety and that of everyone else.

I took my 12 EDT lessons that were required by law already.

redarmy1929

bluewolf wrote: »

That's ridiculous.

Yeah, after you pass the basic competency test that is the driving test. THEN you can go off on your own and become a better driver. The rule isn't there for fun.

That's easier said than done.

What would you do if you need your car to get to work? and you hadn't got anyone to go with you?

redarmy1929

redarmy1929 wrote: »

That's easier said than done.

What would you do if you need your car to get to work? and you hadn't got anyone to go with you?

How did you magically end up with a job that you didn't have transport to before learning to drive?
How would you get there if your car broke down? => do that.

redarmy1929

bluewolf wrote: »

How did you magically end up with a job that you didn't have transport to before learning to drive?
How would you get there if your car broke down? => do that.

shift changes or job relocation can easily force you into having to get a car.

what would do if you hadn't got anyone to go with you?

DylanII

Stark wrote: »

DylanII wrote: »

She actually has crashed. She drove onto a path and into a pole when she thought a bus was going to hit her. I never hit anything. I know it's different for everyone but I that's what worked for me and always having someone with her clearly didn't work for her.

If she's that **** a driver after reaching the very basic competency standard, imagine what she would have been like driving around on her todd before that. That's what the law is there for.

The reason , I believe, for her being like that is because she has become dependant on the person sitting next to her telling her what to do and how to react. She never had to think for herself.

ProudDUB

DylanII wrote: »

The reason , I believe, for her being like that is because she has become dependant on the person sitting next to her telling her what to do and how to react. She never had to think for herself.

If someone doesn't have the cop on to take ownership of their own driving experiences when they are behind the wheel of a car, then they have no business being behind the wheel of a car in the first place imo.

When I began driving here, I used to take my auntie into town to go shopping. It was great to have someone beside me helping me navigate heavy urban traffic, bus and cycle lanes, watching out for pedestrians and manouvering into and out of spaces and multi story car parks. She was great. She only spoke up when she felt that she had to, and at all times made me feel that I was the one in control. If she was a distraction or overly fussy or overly controlling, I would have gotten someone else to accompany me. It's not rocket science folks !

Either pay thousands to instructor to accompany you or be native Irish who's family and friends are here.

I'm sorry, but that is no excuse for driving alone imo. I was living in the US when I first learned to drive. It totally sucked having no friends or family around to help out with the whole process. In the absence of family/friends, I had to pay an instructor to do practice session in his car. It was expensive as heck. But that is a choice that I made. No one made me move there !

I did not think that my being so far away from home made me worthy of some sort of special dispensation. I didn't think that I was entitled to put the lives of other road users at risk just because I was this poor little orphan from Ireland who had no one to practice her driving with. When it came to getting my license, I had to jump thru the exact same hoops as everyone else. If I didn't like it, that is too damm bad and rightly so imo !

When a person moves to a foreign country there are ALWAYS going to be things that cost you more to do just by virtue of you being in a foreign country. Is it a pain in the ass to deal with? Yes it is, but again, I do not think that wanting to avoid that trouble and expense warrants putting the lives and property of others at risk.