Learner vest

RoscommonTom

Does anyone know if the cops do be pulling fellas over to check of they are wearing their learner vest, I dont want to be wearing it if I can get away with it, thanks

zubair

I would suggest at least wearing a plain hi viz vest if not the L one. Tell the guard it's Laundry day if they stop you. :-)

RoscommonTom

zubair wrote: »

I would suggest at least wearing a plain hi viz vest if not the L one. Tell the guard it's Laundry day if they stop you. :-)

Sound out, thats a good idea

Roadcraft

RoscommonTom wrote: »

Sound out, thats a good idea

You can get two penalty points & a sixty euro fine for no 'L' vest or a vest with no 'L' on it.

Wonda-Boy

You could wear worse on these dark evening mate.

szatan84

In my experience the l vest just makes a target out of you. Target for overtaking, and generally being considered a nuisance on the road. Works exactly opposite to the way intended. Kinda like thr amber light; rsa will tell u it means "prepare to stop" but we all know I means "floor it muther****er!".

Ayrtonf7

Roadcraft wrote: »

You can get two penalty points & a sixty euro fine for no 'L' vest or a vest with no 'L' on it.

Started wearing my N-vest as soon as I heard about that. Was wearing a hi-viz anyways but why not throw on the the right one just to cover all basis.

Robbknoll

My experience of the L plate vest was like szaltan84's above. But I just wore a normal hi-viz while on the learner permit anyway. Every check point i came across i was always waved to move on, seems like most guards where i live dont want the hassle of the time involved checking a biker. I feel sorry for people wearing the N plates though, its just an L plate i disguise.

SweetCaliber

I got pulled a couple of weeks ago and got a bollocking for not wearing the L vest, got a warning, however I'll never wear the N vest. They are pointless for bikes, I can understand N plates for cars but they are taking the p*** making bikers wear them.

Seanie_H

SweetCaliber wrote: »

I got pulled a couple of weeks ago and got a bollocking for not wearing the L vest, got a warning, however I'll never wear the N vest. They are pointless for bikes, I can understand N plates for cars but they are taking the p*** making bikers wear them.

Why were you pulled in?

Can't remember what radio show it was on this week but there was somebody on complaining that when she passed her test her premium went up. Insurance logic was that she was more vulnerable having recently passed and she'd be no longer accompanied. People who have just passed their test are a higher risk.

I got my full A a few weeks ago but no need for N if you've held a full in any category for 2 years. I was covered by car licence.

blade1

Seanie_H wrote: »

Why were you pulled in?

Can't remember what radio show it was on this week but there was somebody on complaining that when she passed her test her premium went up. Insurance logic was that she was more vulnerable having recently passed and she'd be no longer accompanied. People who have just passed their test are a higher risk.

I got my full A a few weeks ago but no need for N if you've held a full in any category for 2 years. I was covered by car licence.

Yeah???
They'll come up with anything these days!

Ayrtonf7

IMO the guards would only bring in the no L/N plates point if they caught you doing something else you shouldnt be, say carrying a pillion,speeding or just acting the bollox in general.

Wearing one isnt too bad tho! It functions like a normal hi-viz!

I get what people are saying about the L-plate acting like a bulls-eye for other road users. When I first started riding a bike I noticed a good few people driving up my arse. I was just barley doing the speed-limit and wasnt very confident on the bike. But Id say after about 3-4 months i noticed less and less cars doing it. 2 and a bit years later now all I see is the odd 1 in 100 doing it.

Anyways my point is I dont think people see an L/N plate and think "Lovely ... Im gonna cut this poor b*****d up" ... I think its all down to how confident you are on the bike. If your progressing and doing the right speeds in the right areas and just generally not being a nuisance youl be fine, with or without an L/N plate.

rowanh

I heard numerous people saying the L plate made them a target etc but i found the opposite, i think a lot of people would give you more room and if you do something stupid which is possible as you are a learner it might actually help avoid an accident. I was happy to get rid of it when i got my license but its not something to be ashamed of. The N plate is a bit over the top though, even for cars, thankfully i have had a full car license for years so i dont have to wear one.

BaronVon

Roadcraft wrote: »

You can get two penalty points & a sixty euro fine for no 'L' vest or a vest with no 'L' on it.

Ayrtonf7 wrote: »

Started wearing my N-vest as soon as I heard about that. Was wearing a hi-viz anyways but why not throw on the the right one just to cover all basis.

Plus it's important to note

Where the person was first issued with a learner permit on or after 1 August 2014, during the period the person drives under a learner permit
and during the first two years while the person drives under a first full driving licence, then 7 Penalty Points = six months disqualification.

Topper Harley

The only time I ever wore the "L" vest was for my test and I don't have to wear an "N" as I've had a full car licence for years. But even when I was a learner in the car, I only put the "L" plates on the car the morning of my test (different times though). I'm so cool. :rolleyes:

If the guards are clamping down on it and people still don't really want to wear one, I'd advise one of the following:

1) Wear a hi-vis without "L" or "N" anyway. Does no harm and could be a mitigating factor from a guard's point of view.

2) Have the "L" or "N" vest under your saddle and dirtied up a bit. You can just say you forgot to put it on.

3) Actually wear the thing but wear a backpack over it. I usually have a backpack any time on on the bike anyway.

liamnojo92

Just wear it under your jacket technically you're still wearing it.:pac:

Pugzilla

Topper Harley wrote: »

3) Actually wear the thing but wear a backpack over it. I usually have a backpack any time on on the bike anyway.

This is what I did

DubVelo

I kinda feel like any hi-vis seems to be some kind of eejit magnet.
Maybe there's just a lot of stupidity out there, people who seem to think mopeds / motorcycles / bicycles are all the same thing or something and start sitting on your back wheel and trying to get past you when you're doing the speed limit in town. Or the one I've had a couple of times is coming out of town just leaving the 50 zone and about to engage the 'ol warp drive and I see some muppet pulling out trying to overtake me! 'da fuk!? Or today I had an N plate cage tailgating me then squeeze up to the stop line beside me at a t-junction instead of just queuing behind, and I'm thinking 'This person just passed a test!?'.

SweetCaliber

Seanie_H wrote: »

Why were you pulled in?

Can't remember what radio show it was on this week but there was somebody on complaining that when she passed her test her premium went up. Insurance logic was that she was more vulnerable having recently passed and she'd be no longer accompanied. People who have just passed their test are a higher risk.

I got my full A a few weeks ago but no need for N if you've held a full in any category for 2 years. I was covered by car licence.

It was 2am and I was driving home from work, stopped me to check tax, tyres etc... the usual, probably had nothing better to do and they decided to bring up the L vest too, they were fair snobby I will admit, must of had an off day.

lalababa

L and N signs are an attraction for muppets alright. If they see a L plate they will try to overtake at first oppertunity (good or not so good) . These muppets won't overtake a squad car no matter how slow tis going ,just incase:rolleyes:. Apart from the muppets though others will give a bit of leeway to L platers.:)
I'm sure with all the science and investigation into road accidents and behaviour somebody somewhere has come up with test results that show wearing a L plate is overall good/bad ????.

DOD555

Just got my first bike today, bandit 600 so exciting times. Have all the gear except this learner vest which I probably should get, anybody know where to get one in Dublin city centre preferably? Or happy for anyone to donate an old one. Applied for the test so hopefully not have it for too long!

Ps: Cornwall insurance is the cheapest insurance company for new bikers, I got quotes from all the insurers but they were the cheapest, €506 for first time biker! 😀

Topper Harley

DOD555 wrote: »

Just got my first bike today, bandit 600 so exciting times. Have all the gear except this learner vest which I probably should get, anybody know where to get one in Dublin city centre preferably? Or happy for anyone to donate an old one. Applied for the test so hopefully not have it for too long!

Megabikes on Wexford Street. Unfortunately I think I already gave my old one to someone but I'll have a look for it just in case.

lostboy75

Pm your address and I will send you my old one
Just pass it on again when your finished with it.
Lost.

Pugzilla

They're like ~€10. Just buy one FFS!

lostboy75

Pugzilla wrote: »

They're like ~€10. Just buy one FFS!

Why? It's not like I want to keep mine. Rather than me dumping mine I offered to recycle it. Think it's fairly simple concept.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Exactly.

A fellow Boardsie gave me his as he'd passed the test and as soon as I pass my test, I'll pass it on too. Every little helps and it's only a temporary thing for each biker.

Pugzilla

If you were living in the same town fair enough, but it seems like a lot of hassle for a vest.

TeaBagMania

Pugzilla wrote: »

If you were living in the same town fair enough, but it seems like a lot of hassle for a vest.

nah, sounds like a good reason for a road trip adventure

lostboy75

It's somewhat of a moot point anyway as he hasn't bothered to message, or reply here