Learner having a fully Licensed driver in the car

Quiet Girl

Hi,

I just bought a car and I am just wondering if this rule is actually enforced? It is going to be difficult for me to have a fully licensed driver with me all the time as my mother or sisters do not drive, my friends who do drive are also still learners. My BF has a full license but I only see him once a week due to work.

Thanks.

Lia_lia

I wouldn't advise doing it as it is illegal and you could get penalty points etc.. Also don't fancy drivers who haven't passed their test driving around the place. It's dangerous!

Saying that, I know plenty of people that do it. Most of them were stopped once or twice with a verbal warning given. I have heard its enforced much more in Dublin as there are many more Gardai/checkpoints around. Do your test ASAP! I did mine after 6 months. Great to have it done.

biko

The only advice you'll get here is "don't do it!"

2 or 4 penalty points are the least of your worries
http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Licensed%20Drivers/Penalty%20Points%20Chart1.pdf


You might be ok a while but what if you hit someone/something? What then?

Chief executive of the RSA, Moyagh Murdock, said she particularly wanted to highlight the impact of learner and young drivers on figures. She said young, unaccompanied drivers are four to five times more likely to be involved in an incident.

http://www.thejournal.ie/road-deaths-2-2515991-Dec2015/

Are you with Axa?
http://www.axa.ie/claims/car-insurance-claims/

Any person driving on a Learner’s Permit must be accompanied at all times by a fully licensed driver who has held their licence for no less than 2 years - this is the law.
No cover will apply for any driver who is not meeting the conditions of their Licence/Learner permit.

So if you hit another car/cyclist or person you essentially have zero insurance.

Quiet Girl

I do intend on doing my test asap, I have a few more lessons to go to complete my EDT. I am actually a very safe driver, I don't want to be tarred with the same brush as other learner drivers.

I know it's against the law but how am I supposed to gain experience in driving, I can't help that I wont have a full licensed driver with me at all times

Its not fair considering most of the people on the road now starting driving at a time when none of these rules were in play.

I guess I will just have to take a chance, thanks guys.

biko

I am actually a very safe driver

We and you don't know that. It is for a qualified tester to decide.

I know it's against the law but how am I supposed to gain experience in driving, I can't help that I wont have a full licensed driver with me at all times

Yes you can. Many people use driving school when they cannot get someone.

You are essentially buying a car and go driving with no supervision. This is your understanding of "fair"?

Quiet Girl

biko wrote: »

We and you don't know that. It is for a qualified tester to decide.


Yes you can. Many people use driving school when they cannot get someone.

You are essentially buying a car and go driving with no supervision. This is your understanding of "fair"?

Did you actually read my initial post?

I will be supervised whenever I can but it won't be every day! And then my second post I will do my test as soon as I can I only have a few more lessons to go.

I simply need practical experience on the road and I will have to take a chance driving on my own sometimes.

You have never seen me drive so don't you dare make presumptions on whether I am a safe driver or not, I know I am and I have been told that I am.

I appreciate the replies I will only drive on my own when it's necessary, and like I said I will be supervised whenever I can.

Turtle_

Quiet Girl wrote: »

Did you actually read my initial post?

I will be supervised whenever I can but it won't be every day! And then my second post I will do my test as soon as I can I only have a few more lessons to go.

I simply need practical experience on the road and I will have to take a chance driving on my own sometimes.

You have never seen me drive so don't you dare make presumptions on whether I am a safe driver or not, I know I am and I have been told that I am.

I appreciate the replies I will only drive on my own when it's necessary, and like I said I will be supervised whenever I can.

Actually you're an inexperienced driver. Inexperienced drivers are not as safe as experienced drivers. Simple as.

What did you want to be told?

As for the wah wah wah of "oh so many people didn't do a test and didn't have to be accompanied"

So? What's your point? They're now much more experienced drivers than you are. It wasn't safe then - that's why it changed. And it certainly isn't safe now - roads are busier.

You want to know what the solution is? You drive less. You spend longer, driving less frequently, before your test than someone who has an accompanying driver on hand does. That's what I did, that's what thousands of other people did.

Btw, "very safe driver"s don't drive outside the conditions of their license... Or permit - you don't even HAVE a license.

Alanstrainor

Quiet Girl wrote: »

Did you actually read my initial post?

I will be supervised whenever I can but it won't be every day! And then my second post I will do my test as soon as I can I only have a few more lessons to go.

I simply need practical experience on the road and I will have to take a chance driving on my own sometimes.

You have never seen me drive so don't you dare make presumptions on whether I am a safe driver or not, I know I am and I have been told that I am.

I appreciate the replies I will only drive on my own when it's necessary, and like I said I will be supervised whenever I can.

Why start a thread at all if you're going to ignore advice and do what you want anyway?

The only correct advice is to drive accompanied, and get your lessons done. You stating that you are "actually a very safe driver" is a joke. Even once you pass your test you would be naive to assume that you are suddenly a good or a safe driver. This process takes time, it takes experience, and it takes a good head on your shoulders to realise that it is a never ending learning process.

Quiet Girl

I simply asked a question, no need for everyone to gang up on me.

I know I am inexperienced, I never said I wasn't. I am taking everyone's replies into account and I will follow the rules but I may have to drive by myself sometimes. I believe I am a safe driver so say what you want to say about that.

It seems the biggest threat to me on the roads are ignorant a-hole full licence drivers who beep me, drive up my ass, give me the finger when I am doing the speed limit and they are unable to overtake me, everyone was a learner at some stage.

Thanks for the replies even if they were rude.

Deagol

Quiet Girl wrote: »

Did you actually read my initial post?

I will be supervised whenever I can but it won't be every day! And then my second post I will do my test as soon as I can I only have a few more lessons to go.

I simply need practical experience on the road and I will have to take a chance driving on my own sometimes.

You have never seen me drive so don't you dare make presumptions on whether I am a safe driver or not, I know I am and I have been told that I am.

I appreciate the replies I will only drive on my own when it's necessary, and like I said I will be supervised whenever I can.

Your point being that when the law doesn't suit your circumstances it's ok to ignore it?
Here's hoping you get caught and fined as soon as possible, at least before you hurt another person legally using the roads.

jimgoose

Yes, it is enforced. In furtherance, insurance companies are increasingly of the view that driving unaccompanied invalidates your license to drive and thus voids your insurance policy. This means that in the event of you causing damage you will be pursued personally for the cost.

Monkeysgomad

Quiet Girl wrote: »

I simply asked a question, no need for everyone to gang up on me.

I know I am inexperienced, I never said I wasn't. I am taking everyone's replies into account and I will follow the rules but I may have to drive by myself sometimes. I believe I am a safe driver so say what you want to say about that.

It seems the biggest threat to me on the roads are ignorant a-hole full licence drivers who beep me, drive up my ass, give me the finger when I am doing the speed limit and they are unable to overtake me, everyone was a learner at some stage.

Thanks for the replies even if they were rude.

OP I couldn't agree more with you. Today I was in cork, just coming out of the city area and the Gaurds are known for being there all the time. The speed is 50km and I'm doing my test next week, therefore I am not going to be breaking any speed limits and these so called, safe and fully qualified drivers were so close to my car the sensors went off. One of them went and passed me on the LEFT hand side and stuck his middle finger up at me. Yet we are considered the inexperienced ones.

Quiet Girl

Monkeysgomad wrote:

OP I couldn't agree more with you. Today I was in cork, just coming out of the city area and the Gaurds are known for being there all the time. The speed is 50km and I'm doing my test next week, therefore I am not going to be breaking any speed limits and these so called, safe and fully qualified drivers were so close to my car the sensors went off. One of them went and passed me on the LEFT hand side and stuck his middle finger up at me. Yet we are considered the inexperienced ones.

Iv gotten it even whilst doing my driving lessons in my instructors car and you can clearly see it's a driving instructors car, people are so disrespectful, were trying to learn and be as safe as we can on the roads and we have idiots like this putting us down. It's just rude and quite immature!

Turtle_

Quiet Girl wrote: »

Iv gotten it even whilst doing my driving lessons in my instructors car and you can clearly see it's a driving instructors car, people are so disrespectful, were trying to learn and be as safe as we can on the roads and we have idiots like this putting us down. It's just rude and quite immature!

Exactly, you said it. There are idiots on the road. And it takes experience to predict and be proactive about what those idiots will do.

doolox

The roads are much busier now than when I started driving 36 years ago. The same restrictions did not apply or were not enforced but I know I did not learn to drive properly until I got a few months experience on my own away from my Dad who was the only qualified driver available to supervise my learning. Relatives teaching someone to drive does not work well, there was a lot of shouting and screaming involved....my dad was not a patient man.

On todays roads and in todays traffic conditions I would advise if possible that you get a Driving Instructor to supervise you as long as it takes to get good at driving or at least good enough to pass the test. This will be expensive but not even a fraction of the cost of being in a crash and having to pay compo to someone.

Someone I know changed lanes suddenly after moving off from a red light on a roundabout and was hit from behind by a speeding car but was found to be in the wrong. The driver of the other car sued for "neck injury" but could not be examined by a doctor for some reason....the insurance settled for €22,000!!

Imagine having to fork that out of your own resources without recourse to cover in the event of a crash. Imagine something provable like a broken bone or a cut and then a few dozen supervised lessons at €50 per hr seems cheap.

This is the unfortunate consequence of a doubling of car population in Ireland in the last 40 yrs, also a trebling of average horsepower in the average car, from about 20hp to more than 70hp and speeds well up from about 35mph to 80 or 90 kph today not to mention more complex junctions etc...

loyatemu

If you are as safe a driver as you claim you are, why do you need the practice? Just go and do your test now...

If you do need practice, then you're not safe and you shouldn't be endangering the lives of others to save yourself a few quid on driving lessons.

Monkeysgomad

loyatemu wrote: »

If you are as safe a driver as you claim you are, why do you need the practice? Just go and do your test now...

If you do need practice, then you're not safe and you shouldn't be endangering the lives of others to save yourself a few quid on driving lessons.

OP never said they were trying to save money on some lessons. They like all of us have to take the 12 lessons required. All I'm saying is that people say learners are inexperienced but let's be honest most qualified drivers have no patience with us when we are doing things right.

Turtle_

Monkeysgomad wrote: »

OP never said they were trying to save money on some lessons. They like all of us have to take the 12 lessons required. All I'm saying is that people say learners are inexperienced but let's be honest most qualified drivers have no patience with us when we are doing things right.

None of this is a direct accusation of you or anyone specific but some observations I've had are:

Usually when learners are "doing the speed limit" they're way below because they don't allow for the speedo overestimating the speed

They're slow to get up to speed (I was stuck behind a guy who took literally twice as long to get to 45kph - probably reading 50 for him - than I would normally take, which is frustrating)

They manoeuvre more slowly and more laboriously


and so on. But none of that excuses rude or aggressive behaviour.


But that's besides the point. Things happen on roads that drivers need to react to. These things can be seen and predicted by experienced drivers. Learners are by definition inexperienced novices. Who cares if you can operate the mechanics of a car? A monkey could if you let them practice enough. Safe driving isn't about the mechanics, it's about experience.


And for heaven's sake, stop saying it as if it's conjecture... Learners ARE inexperienced drivers. So much so that they put up NOVICE plates even after getting the license!

slimjimmc

jimgoose wrote: »

Yes, it is enforced. In furtherance, insurance companies are increasingly of the view that driving unaccompanied invalidates your license to drive and thus voids your insurance policy. This means that in the event of you causing damage you will be pursued personally for the cost.

Not just insurers, the courts are also of the same opinion. Your license to drive as learner is subject to having an accompanying driver and L-plates. Breaching the terms of your learner permit means you are no longer licensed to drive while in breach, even if you were only going 5 mins down the road. Also if your insurance policy states no cover while in breach then you're also driving uninsured.
No doubt there are many learners who breach their permit conditions and never get caught but not everyone gets away with it and the consequences of a conviction stay for many years afterwards (fines, points, possible criminal record, higher insurance premiums).

athtrasna

OP it's not a rule, it's the law. Laws are not ok to break. The only place it is ok for you to drive at your own risk is off a public road so if you had a farm or the like you'd be ok but on a public road it's very clearly illegal.

Shermanator

Monkeysgomad wrote: »

OP I couldn't agree more with you. Today I was in cork, just coming out of the city area and the Gaurds are known for being there all the time. The speed is 50km and I'm doing my test next week, therefore I am not going to be breaking any speed limits and these so called, safe and fully qualified drivers were so close to my car the sensors went off. One of them went and passed me on the LEFT hand side and stuck his middle finger up at me. Yet we are considered the inexperienced ones.

did you have a fully qualified driver with you at the time and what advice did they give you on how to deal with the rude behavior ?

1hnr79jr65

Quiet Girl wrote: »

I do intend on doing my test asap, I have a few more lessons to go to complete my EDT. I am actually a very safe driver, I don't want to be tarred with the same brush as other learner drivers.

I know it's against the law but how am I supposed to gain experience in driving, I can't help that I wont have a full licensed driver with me at all times

Its not fair considering most of the people on the road now starting driving at a time when none of these rules were in play.

I guess I will just have to take a chance, thanks guys.

If you were to drive without a fully licensed driver with you, not only will your insurance be void, but you face fines, penalty points, a potential conviction if you go to court and possibly face many years banned from driving from a judge should you be found guilty of an offence.

That is alot of risk to take for not having someone experiences and fully licensed driver with you. Even if you are involved in an accident not of your fault, your insurance will still be void and you will still be at risk from penalties and if you were the cause of an accident you should expect to have the book thrown at you plus a possible civil suit.

This is just the reality of the situation.

A tip from me would be, if you are going to work and a colleague (driver with 2 years of having full license) who lives a really really short distance from your house then you offer to car pool, you get experience in driving in exchange for having that person in car with you so you can drive. Or even neighbour who works next or near your work place.

mcgovern

Monkeysgomad wrote: »

OP I couldn't agree more with you. Today I was in cork, just coming out of the city area and the Gaurds are known for being there all the time. The speed is 50km and I'm doing my test next week, therefore I am not going to be breaking any speed limits and these so called, safe and fully qualified drivers were so close to my car the sensors went off. One of them went and passed me on the LEFT hand side and stuck his middle finger up at me. Yet we are considered the inexperienced ones.

How did he pass you on the left hand side? Obviously you were obeying the rules of the road and were in the left most lane...

Shermanator

I never even put up L plates when I started driving but then that was back in the mid 1980's when the drink drive limit was 5 pints.
Things were a TAD different then.

whippet

Monkeysgomad wrote: »

OP I couldn't agree more with you. Today I was in cork, just coming out of the city area and the Gaurds are known for being there all the time. The speed is 50km and I'm doing my test next week, therefore I am not going to be breaking any speed limits and these so called, safe and fully qualified drivers were so close to my car the sensors went off. One of them went and passed me on the LEFT hand side and stuck his middle finger up at me. Yet we are considered the inexperienced ones.

You might want to have your parking sensors looked at by a mechanic .. obviously faulty if they are being activated while in traffic.

Also, it isn't a good idea give out about driving behaviour of others when you are admitting (obviously without any idea as to why) your own driving behaviour was incorrect and a very annoying trait of inexperienced poor drivers on our roads.

bpmurray

Monkeysgomad wrote: »

OP I couldn't agree more with you. Today I was in cork, just coming out of the city area and the Gaurds are known for being there all the time. The speed is 50km and I'm doing my test next week, therefore I am not going to be breaking any speed limits and these so called, safe and fully qualified drivers were so close to my car the sensors went off. One of them went and passed me on the LEFT hand side and stuck his middle finger up at me. Yet we are considered the inexperienced ones.

Are you aware that hogging the right-hand lane is an offence? If you do that in your test, you'll fail.

The reality is that learners have very little idea of what they're doing - they have a basic idea of the mechanics but have a long, long way to go before becoming a competent driver. The test is merely a piece of paper that says you have achieved the absolute minimum to allow you on the road, although you have to have an experienced driver to chaperone you while you have your N plates.

We have an unfortunate situation in Ireland where learner drivers are allowed on the road before they have passed the test. The UK has something similar but it's otherwise not what other countries have. I learned to drive in Denmark, where I could only drive with a qualified instructor in a marked training car. I never assumed that I could drive well (unlike some of the folk here) and I passed my test the first time. Note that the test is actually more difficult there, particularly the theory, but the failure rate is lower, presumably because people don't have the opportunity to learn bad habits like here - you're only allowed on the road with someone who will correct misbehaviours on the spot.

mahoganygas

I was hit by a learner driver. He was driving unaccompanied. He wrote off my car and his.

Thankfully nobody was hurt. But his insurance company told him he was not covered. He had to personally pay for two cars and was put off the road for a few years.

It's not worth the risk.

SteM

Quiet Girl wrote: »

I am actually a very safe driver, I don't want to be tarred with the same brush as other learner drivers.

It really doesn’t matter how safe you are.

All it takes is a kid running out from behind a car, a cyclist not looking where they are going or another driver with their mind on something else and you could end up with penalty points and an insurance nightmare. Anyone can be in an accident while driving, it doesn’t have to be your fault but you are the one they'll come down hard on.

Monkeysgomad

Turtle_ wrote: »

None of this is a direct accusation of you or anyone specific but some observations I've had are:

Usually when learners are "doing the speed limit" they're way below because they don't allow for the speedo overestimating the speed

They're slow to get up to speed (I was stuck behind a guy who took literally twice as long to get to 45kph - probably reading 50 for him - than I would normally take, which is frustrating)

They manoeuvre more slowly and more laboriously


and so on. But none of that excuses rude or aggressive behaviour.


But that's besides the point. Things happen on roads that drivers need to react to. These things can be seen and predicted by experienced drivers. Learners are by definition inexperienced novices. Who cares if you can operate the mechanics of a car? A monkey could if you let them practice enough. Safe driving isn't about the mechanics, it's about experience.


And for heaven's sake, stop saying it as if it's conjecture... Learners ARE inexperienced drivers. So much so that they put up NOVICE plates even after getting the license!

Well I am a learner and from day one I went right up to speed limits because I can't stand that slow driving. You'll learn absolutely nothing from it. Therefore when I say I'm doing the limit, I am.

And even though speed limits like 50km are slow, I won't be breaking that when I know the Gaurds are always there to suit the fool behind who wants to pass me just because I'm a Learner. We put up N plates, because it's the law.

I also have no problem with that and obviously we don't have as much as experience as those on the road longer. We have to learn though and should be able to do so without rude and aggressive behaviour from other road users.

Monkeysgomad

Shermanator wrote: »

did you have a fully qualified driver with you at the time and what advice did they give you on how to deal with the rude behavior ?

Yes I had my aunt in the car with me. She said to just ignore them as I was doing the right thing. I know more than anyone when your in a rush the last thing you want is to be doing 50km along a road but if it's the law, and the Gaurds are known for being there, then I'm doing it.
They were also in a limerick Reg car, so they may not have been aware the Gaurds are always there but I did.

Monkeysgomad

mcgovern wrote: »

How did he pass you on the left hand side? Obviously you were obeying the rules of the road and were in the left most lane...

Yes I was in the left lane. There was a cycle lane and a path to which he drove into and on top of.

Monkeysgomad

whippet wrote: »

You might want to have your parking sensors looked at by a mechanic .. obviously faulty if they are being activated while in traffic.

Also, it isn't a good idea give out about driving behaviour of others when you are admitting (obviously without any idea as to why) your own driving behaviour was incorrect and a very annoying trait of inexperienced poor drivers on our roads.

No my car is new and sensors are working. They are placed above the number plate and the car behind had there car bumper so close to me it went off.

Also see my other comment. I was in the correct lane, the left hand one and he drove into a cycle lane and onto half the path. He didn't only pass me but three others.

Monkeysgomad

bpmurray wrote: »

Are you aware that hogging the right-hand lane is an offence? If you do that in your test, you'll fail.

The reality is that learners have very little idea of what they're doing - they have a basic idea of the mechanics but have a long, long way to go before becoming a competent driver. The test is merely a piece of paper that says you have achieved the absolute minimum to allow you on the road, although you have to have an experienced driver to chaperone you while you have your N plates.

We have an unfortunate situation in Ireland where learner drivers are allowed on the road before they have passed the test. The UK has something similar but it's otherwise not what other countries have. I learned to drive in Denmark, where I could only drive with a qualified instructor in a marked training car. I never assumed that I could drive well (unlike some of the folk here) and I passed my test the first time. Note that the test is actually more difficult there, particularly the theory, but the failure rate is lower, presumably because people don't have the opportunity to learn bad habits like here - you're only allowed on the road with someone who will correct misbehaviours on the spot.

You don't have to have a ful license driver with N plates. Also 3rd time saying it, I was in the left hand lane and the other driver passed in a cycle lane and path.

Shermanator

Monkeysgomad wrote: »

No my car is new and sensors are working. They are placed above the number plate and the car behind had there car bumper so close to me it went off.

Also see my other comment. I was in the correct lane, the left hand one and he drove into a cycle lane and onto half the path. He didn't only pass me but three others.

Whatever you do, don't let someone who drives like a dickhead put you off driving. These guys do the exact same to qualified drivers also. and as you said in your previous post, they were from Limerick. Sure the Limerick lads wear plastic bags on their heads and all.

Monkeysgomad

Shermanator wrote: »

Whatever you do, don't let someone who drives like a dickhead put you off driving. These guys do the exact same to qualified drivers also. and as you said in your previous post, they were from Limerick. Sure the Limerick lads wear plastic bags on their heads and all.

Haha thank you! Believe me I won't. I'm just trying to prove a point that although we don't have experience we have to start somewhere.

Monkeysgomad

bpmurray wrote: »

Are you aware that hogging the right-hand lane is an offence? If you do that in your test, you'll fail.

The reality is that learners have very little idea of what they're doing - they have a basic idea of the mechanics but have a long, long way to go before becoming a competent driver. The test is merely a piece of paper that says you have achieved the absolute minimum to allow you on the road, although you have to have an experienced driver to chaperone you while you have your N plates.

We have an unfortunate situation in Ireland where learner drivers are allowed on the road before they have passed the test. The UK has something similar but it's otherwise not what other countries have. I learned to drive in Denmark, where I could only drive with a qualified instructor in a marked training car. I never assumed that I could drive well (unlike some of the folk here) and I passed my test the first time. Note that the test is actually more difficult there, particularly the theory, but the failure rate is lower, presumably because people don't have the opportunity to learn bad habits like here - you're only allowed on the road with someone who will correct misbehaviours on the spot.

'There is no requirement for novice drivers to have an accompanying driver – this is still only the case for learner drivers. However, a novice driver may not act as an accompanying driver for someone who holds a learner permit'

Rsa.ie website

Shermanator

A question to the OP

Do you have your own insurance policy or are you a named driver on your parents policy ?

Shermanator

A question to the OP

Do you have your own insurance policy or are you a named driver on your parents policy ?

Lia_lia

Quiet Girl wrote: »

I appreciate the replies I will only drive on my own when it's necessary

I don't get this. What would you do if you didn't have a car? I'm sure you managed to survive without driving not too long ago. In most other countries (like the UK for example) it's a huge no no to be driving unaccompanied. I work in a multinational and the people from other countries find the whole unsupervised learner situation here mental!

Quiet Girl wrote: »

It seems the biggest threat to me on the roads are ignorant a-hole full licence drivers who beep me, drive up my ass, give me the finger when I am doing the speed limit and they are unable to overtake me, everyone was a learner at some stage.

It funny because I noticed a lot of this carry on when I started driving. As in the first 3 to 4 months. I just blamed it on the L Plates. But as I got more experienced and better at driving no one really beeped me etc anymore. Or maybe I just stopped listening to them :pac:

Anyway, you'll get people driving up your ass, dangerous overtaking etc with a full license. I have to sit and listen to people give out about their commutes every morning. Happens to my Mother all the time too. Many drivers just have no patience for anything!

The Young Wan

Hello OP. I just want to put my two cents in.

Like yourself, at the start I thought myself a "very safe driver", invincible, God's blessing upon the road. I took my first test a mere TWO DAYS after my final lesson and failed with not nine, but 24 grade twos and two grade threes.

If I had had a licenced driver with me at ALL times when driving, and not said "**** it it's only into town no one will mind" I'd probably not have made as many mistakes. I still wouldn't have passed, but I wouldn't have gotten near 24.

You call yourself a "safe driver". A "good driver". Unfortunately, this is not your call to make. I've been driving near four years now and I still wouldn't call myself a good driver. The only one with any authority to make that judgement is a driving tester, and your named qualified driver who sits in with you.

My Dad is my driver (my mam doesn't like driving with me) and even he wouldn't call me a good driver all the time. For your own sake, and the sake of those with whom you share the road. Do not drive unaccompanied. Trust me, it is not worth the hassle.

The Young Wan

Quiet Girl wrote: »

I believe I am a safe driver so say what you want to say about that.

I believed I was a safe driver too. Until one night, coming home from Cork with my father into a car, I nearly went 80km/hr into a bin. If my father hadn't been there, my car, the bin, I myself, would have been in sh!t.

The reason the full driver rule is there is to keep you safe, and to MAKE you a safe driver. Not make you BELIEVE you are a safe driver. The difference between these is crucial.

uck51js9zml2yt

Monkeysgomad wrote: »

Well I am a learner and from day one I went right up to speed limits because I can't stand that slow driving. You'll learn absolutely nothing from it. Therefore when I say I'm doing the limit, I am.

And even though speed limits like 50km are slow, I won't be breaking that when I know the Gaurds are always there to suit the fool behind who wants to pass me just because I'm a Learner. We put up N plates, because it's the law.

I also have no problem with that and obviously we don't have as much as experience as those on the road longer. We have to learn though and should be able to do so without rude and aggressive behaviour from other road users.

The speed limit is not a target to reach. You are supposed to drive at speeds commensurate with road conditions.

Back to the op.....

I passed 20 years ago when you could drive on your own on your first and third licence.
I failed and then got a car. 12 months later the experience showed and I passed.
Of course things are different now and its illegal to drive alone and it invalidates your insurance which is a good thing based on current road usage.

As for being a safe driver.... They are called accidents for a reason! We all have them.

GunnerBlue

bpmurray wrote: »

We have an unfortunate situation in Ireland where learner drivers are allowed on the road before they have passed the test. The UK has something similar but it's otherwise not what other countries have.

The UK absolutely does not have something similar.

Arbiter of Good Taste

GunnerBlue wrote: »

The UK absolutely does not have something similar.

You are correct.

About 20 years ago - when it was legal for some provisional licensees to drive on their own in the Republic - a colleague of mine who happened to be driving up North was stopped by the PSNI (or was it the RUC then?), made get out of the car, and the car was towed away and she couldn't get behind the wheel again until she crossed back into the Republic.

Lia_lia

GunnerBlue wrote: »

The UK absolutely does not have something similar.

I think what he/she means is that in the UK you can drive around in your own car or friend/family members car accompanied when you are a learner. In many other countries you can only be in a driving instructors car and drive during lessons. Maybe that's not what they meant though!

easy1

My point of view on your situation:

I recently passed my driving test.I did around 20 lessons.Trust me or not,but amount of criticism I heard from most of my "friends" about driving exclusivity with my driving instructor and my partner was unreal.
I didn't wanted to go out on my own as I throughout it was stupid to break the law unnecessarily.
I wanted to pass my test in proper way,which I did and feel very proud of.
They said,I will never gain a confidence ,I will never pass the test,if continue to drive with somebody sitting beside me.

For my called "friends" unaccompanied driving is still an acceptable practice!!!

Today I applied for my full driving licence,and again heard criticism,why I'm still not driving myself !!But how??
It takes up to 10 working days to receive my new licence,also I have to notify insurance company and only then,when all those things mentioned above will be sorted only then I will stick on my N plates and I might drive more myself.Drive legally!!!

My called "friends" are people aged from 30-50 years old.Some of them driving with provisional licence 10+ years,one passed test after 6 fails,another one don't want display N plates,because she don't like how they look on her brand new car and so on.....

Can someone please explain to me what makes Learner Permit holders in Ireland so special that they feel they can drive alone?From the the country where I'm originally from they wouldn't get away with it.

Lia_lia

^ I just got my licence yesterday...took 5 working days! Delighted to have it

As mentioned before the reason people here have the "driving alone" attitude is because it was allowed only a few years ago. Most Gardai don't enforce it at all and people get away with driving unaccompanied. I think it will take many more years for people to take it seriously.