Displaying N plates

woodchuck

I'm not a novice driver, but my OH is. Currently we have 2 cars, but have been discussing cutting back to one. Personally I have no problem driving around with his N plates displayed, but what is the legality of it? I thought that a non-learner couldn't drive around with L plates displayed; is it the same for N plates?

me_irl

If your OH is driving, he would technically need to display the N plates.

http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Driving-licence/Novice-Plates-Introduction/

http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Licensed%20Drivers/FAQs_%20on_N_plates.pdf

woodchuck

Thanks for that. Yes, I know he needs to have them up when he's driving. I'm just wondering if I need to take them down when I'm driving? I'd rather not (hassle), but not sure if it's an offense for a non-novice to display N plates.

duffman3833

get the magnetic plates and you can remove them easily, i did that with my partner when she started learning to drive on my car. It meant i wouldn't run into hassle if i was ever stopped by guards
http://www.halfords.ie/motoring/travel-accessories/learning-to-drive/halfords-magnetic-n-driver-plates-x3

D0NNELLY

woodchuck wrote: »

I'm not a novice driver, but my OH is. Currently we have 2 cars, but have been discussing cutting back to one. Personally I have no problem driving around with his N plates displayed, but what is the legality of it? I thought that a non-learner couldn't drive around with L plates displayed; is it the same for N plates?

Think it's only that you can't drive on the motor way with L plates up. I've been at check points in my wife's car with both L and N plates up and no comment from the guards. I read the two RSA links above a can't find an answer..

me_irl

woodchuck wrote: »

Thanks for that. Yes, I know he needs to have them up when he's driving. I'm just wondering if I need to take them down when I'm driving? I'd rather not (hassle), but not sure if it's an offense for a non-novice to display N plates.

Oh, I think I got the wrong end.

The path of least resistance is to just leave them up, as if you're stopped you could explain that the Novice signs are for your OH (proved by your license being greater than two years old).

If you keep removing them there is a higher chance of forgetting to put them on if he's driving and Murphy's Law always comes in to effect!

Dravokivich

OP it doesn't matter who's driving when the N/L plate is up. Only that when a Novice or a Learner is driving that the required plate is displayed.

D0NNELLY wrote: »

Think it's only that you can't drive on the motor way with L plates up. I've been at check points in my wife's car with both L and N plates up and no comment from the guards. I read the two RSA links above a can't find an answer..

You can still enter with them up. Nothing preventing you from. It's the Learner Driver that is not permitted to enter a motorway.

woodchuck

Thanks guys! Yes, I can't find anything specific about it online either. I was sure that a fully licenced driver couldn't drive with L plates, maybe that's just because you could get into trouble on a motorway. Can't see anything about a fully licenced driver getting into trouble for displaying N plates though. And like someone mentioned, we're probably more likely to forget to put them back on when the OH is driving and get caught for that!!

Are there any restrictions I should be aware of if I'm driving around with an N plate though? Even though I'm fully licenced myself, don't want to draw negative attention! E.g. I remember talk from back in the day when it was first being introduced about novice drivers may have to obey reduced speed limits on certain roads; did anything like that ever come into effect in the end though?

D0NNELLY

woodchuck wrote: »

Thanks guys! Yes, I can't find anything specific about it online either. I was sure that a fully licenced driver couldn't drive with L plates, maybe that's just because you could get into trouble on a motorway. Can't see anything about a fully licenced driver getting into trouble for displaying N plates though. And like someone mentioned, we're probably more likely to forget to put them back on when the OH is driving and get caught for that!!

Are there any restrictions I should be aware of if I'm driving around with an N plate though? Even though I'm fully licenced myself, don't want to draw negative attention! E.g. I remember talk from back in the day when it was first being introduced about novice drivers may have to obey reduced speed limits on certain roads; did anything like that ever come into effect in the end though?

No, nothing like that. Just lower alcohol limits for N drivers

Neon_Lights

I think it's fine to keep them up OP, my missus has them up for me and the only trouble she's had is drivers driving a little more aggressively and trying to push her round a little more because of the N plates

Henry Ford III

Put up both N & L plates and really confuse other motorists

p.s. Some will assume you're Dutch.

Neon_Lights

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Put up both N & L plates and really confuse other motorists

p.s. Some will assume you're Dutch.

May as well put up some taxi plates up while you're at it and start complaining that you paid 70 grand for one in the nineties

FishOnABike

Just remember if you are ever driving in Northern Ireland or mainland UK to take down the N plate when your OH is not driving. The law there is stricter on only displaying them for the relevant driver. You're grand here and, as you said, if you are taking them off and on all the time you are more likely to forget to put them on when you should.