From full A to B

shivermetimber

I've had a full A license for 9 years now and been a road user for all of it. I'm now considering doing my car license for the future but a few points have come up and I'm looking for clarification on these.



From what I can see being a full time road user for nearly a decade stands for nothing if I do get a car license. I'm told Insurance will be high as I'm a 'new' driver to them. From experience or knowledge is this true?



Also, It seems I'll have to have an experienced road user with me for 2 years every time I'm in a car after I pass my full test. Is there any way to have my experience count towards something or do some kind of advanced training to circumnavigate this? The only alternative I can think of is to do the test and simply sit on the 2 years and not drive a car / make do with two wheels until it lapses. Is this possible?

Plumbthedepths

shivermetimber wrote:

Also, It seems I'll have to have an experienced road user with me for 2 years every time I'm in a car after I pass my full test. Is there any way to have my experience count towards something or do some kind of advanced training to circumnavigate this? The only alternative I can think of is to do the test and simply sit on the 2 years and not drive a car / make do with two wheels until it lapses. Is this possible?

You don't need to have anyone accompany you after you pass the test. You will be a novice driver for 2 years and you will be unable to act as an accompanying driver to a learner. You will be required to display an N plate once you pass but you are fully licensed to drive on your own.

shivermetimber

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

You don't need to have anyone accompany you after you pass the test. You will be a novice driver for 2 years and you will be unable to act as an accompanying driver to a learner. You will be required to display an N plate once you pass but you are fully licensed to drive on your own.

Really? I'm from a time before this N plate stuff and on the bikes it was different back then too so maybe I'm confused. So L drivers are someone waiting to do the full test and need a full driver with them but N drivers have passed the full test and do not? So where does the 2 year having a full license driver with you rule thing come in then?

Plumbthedepths

shivermetimber wrote:

Really? I'm from a time before this N plate stuff and on the bikes it was different back then too so maybe I'm confused. So L drivers are someone waiting to do the full test and need a full driver with them but N drivers have passed the full test and do not? So where does the 2 year having a full license driver with you rule thing come in then?

What may be confusing you is the requirement of a learner to have a full license holder with them who has held their full license for 2 or more years. A novice driver is allowed drive unaccompanied from the time they receive their full license.

shivermetimber

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

What may be confusing you is the requirement of a learner to have a full license holder with them who has held their full license for 2 or more years. A novice driver is allowed drive unaccompanied from the time they receive their full license.

I get ya now, thanks. Looks like I have to resit the theory test which is a pain but I understand why. Does anyone have any experience with the insurance side of things going from one to the other?

Plumbthedepths

shivermetimber wrote:

I get ya now, thanks. Looks like I have to resit the theory test which is a pain but I understand why. Does anyone have any experience with the insurance side of things going from one to the other?

As for insurance try a broker.

shivermetimber

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

As for insurance try a broker.

Will do.

I'm not so sure about the theory test now. Here says that you have to resit if you are going for a different category which has a different theory test. I assume this references a change within a category i.e. withing A or B or does it indicate that A and B share the same theory test? I don't remember mine being motorcycle orientated when I did it but its so long now I'm not sure.

Plumbthedepths

shivermetimber wrote:

says that you have to resit if you are going for a different category which has a different theory test. I assume this references a change within a category i.e. withing A or B or does it indicate that A and B share the same theory test? I don't remember mine being motorcycle orientated when I did it but its so long now I'm not sure.

Best to contact the NDLA.

ratracer

From my experience, car insurance company’s won’t acknowledge your bike NCB when you take out a policy.

I have both car and bike insurance, obviously I can only drive one at a time, but this is not considered by ins. co.

shivermetimber

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

Best to contact the NDLA.

I might have to. I downloaded the license application form and both bikes and cars come under Group 1 categories so maybe they are considered the same?

ratracer wrote: »

From my experience, car insurance company’s won’t acknowledge your bike NCB when you take out a policy.

I have both car and bike insurance, obviously I can only drive one at a time, but this is not considered by ins. co.

That's a bit **** but I expected as much from them.

Tij da feen

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

You don't need to have anyone accompany you after you pass the test. You will be a novice driver for 2 years and you will be unable to act as an accompanying driver to a learner. You will be required to display an N plate once you pass but you are fully licensed to drive on your own.

I believe you will not need to display N plates on your car after passing your test.

The two year period only applies to your first full driving license.

"The novice period applies only once ie someone who holds a driving licence for a category of vehicle and who after a period of two years becomes entitled to drive another category, does not become a novice in respect of the new category."
http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Driving-licence/Novice-Plates-Introduction/

The way I read that is that it only applies to your first full driving license. Adding a category shouldn't be subject to adding an N plate. At least, this is what my instructor told me.

@OP I went with First Ireland who take your NCB from Motorcycles into account. This mightn't make much difference to your premium but worth a shot.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

If someone held their first full licence prior to August 2014, in this case Category A, then any subsequent full licence will not require N plates.

Having just recently passed my own full category A i do not need an N tabard when on my bike.

shivermetimber

Tij da feen wrote: »

I believe you will not need to display N plates on your car after passing your test.

The two year period only applies to your first full driving license.

"The novice period applies only once ie someone who holds a driving licence for a category of vehicle and who after a period of two years becomes entitled to drive another category, does not become a novice in respect of the new category."
http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Driving-licence/Novice-Plates-Introduction/

The way I read that is that it only applies to your first full driving license. Adding a category shouldn't be subject to adding an N plate. At least, this is what my instructor told me.

@OP I went with First Ireland who take your NCB from Motorcycles into account. This mightn't make much difference to your premium but worth a shot.

Interesting but sure it's only a sticker with no real downsides anyways bar not being able to accompany a learner for 2 years. Thanks for the recommendation for insurance.

frozenfrozen

He won't need N plates or be limited to 6 points as he has had a full category for over 2 years already

shivermetimber

Katelyn Nutritious Pumpkin wrote: »

If someone held their first full licence prior to August 2014, in this case Category A, then any subsequent full licence will not require N plates.

Having just recently passed my own full category A i do not need an N tabard when on my bike.

frozenfrozen wrote: »

He won't need N plates or be limited to 6 points as he has had a full category for over 2 years already

Thanks for confirming. I'd imagine if this was the case then the theory should also count as the same? Any experience with this even if going the other way from car to bike? Did you have to resit?

Tij da feen

shivermetimber wrote: »

Thanks for confirming. I'd imagine if this was the case then the theory should also count as the same? Any experience with this even if going the other way from car to bike? Did you have to resit?

You still need a separate theory test and driving test to get you B category Permit and License respectively. You just won't be subject to the "Novice" restrictions of the N plates and 6 point limit on your license.

shivermetimber

Tij da feen wrote: »

You still need a separate theory test and driving test to get you B category Permit and License respectively. You just won't be subject to the "Novice" restrictions of the N plates and 6 point limit on your license.

Oh I know I need a separate driving test but it's the theory test I'm questioning as there is no direct answer for this anywhere. I don't remember my theory test being very motorbike specific way back when. Both are A and B are classed as 'Group 1' on the drivers license application form so this seems to indicate they are related in some way and perhaps share the same theory basis.

shivermetimber

Update: RSA hadn't a clue. Rang the NDLS and nice lad there said he reckoned it was not needed, went to double check it and said because of the length and that I've kept my license active the whole time my past theory stands with them and I can just apply for the B learner right away. I'll wait for the e-mail / written confirmation anyway just to see..

ayux4rj6zql2ph

shivermetimber wrote: »

Update: RSA hadn't a clue. Rang the NDLS and nice lad there said he reckoned it was not needed, went to double check it and said because of the length and that I've kept my license active the whole time my past theory stands with them and I can just apply for the B learner right away. I'll wait for the e-mail / written confirmation anyway just to see..

Do you hold the ‘type 1’ theory test? As in did you sit it before 2006? I assume you did? In that case as long as you did then the cert was for category A & B? So you just plough in and apply, I was in that position last year. But from B to A

Took 3 weeks for me to receive an email from the NDLS last year

shivermetimber

Katelyn Nutritious Pumpkin wrote: »

Do you hold the ‘type 1’ theory test? As in did you sit it before 2006? I assume you did? In that case as long as you did then the cert was for category A & B? So you just plough in and apply, I was in that position last year. But from B to A

Took 3 weeks for me to receive an email from the NDLS last year

3 weeks! Jasus. The lad didn't say anything about type 1 but he said its on file there and looks fine. I'd say it might be pre or on 06 as I got my full early 09 and I'd say I was a learner for a few years before then.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

shivermetimber wrote: »

3 weeks! Jasus. The lad didn't say anything about type 1 but he said its on file there and looks fine. I'd say it might be pre or on 06 as I got my full early 09 and I'd say I was a learner for a few years before then.

Yeah, it was madness. I’ll never email them again.

Did my theory test in 2003, got the full in 2007, were you near the end of your second or subsequent learner permit at the time? I passed my car test the same week the crack down on second provisional licence holders driving alone was done away with.

What I was told was once the full licence is kept in date so is the original theory test cert

shivermetimber

Katelyn Nutritious Pumpkin wrote: »

Yeah, it was madness. I’ll never email them again.

Did my theory test in 2003, got the full in 2007, were you near the end of your second or subsequent learner permit at the time? I passed my car test the same week the crack down on second provisional licence holders driving alone was done away with.

What I was told was once the full licence is kept in date so is the original theory test cert

Checked there and I did the theory in 2003 too (didn't think I was that lazy!) so looks like I can crack on as license has been kept valid since.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

shivermetimber wrote: »

Checked there and I did the theory in 2003 too (didn't think I was that lazy!) so looks like I can crack on as license has been kept valid since.

You're on the pigs back. As the man says, drive on

You'll have to do the EDT though.

shivermetimber

Katelyn Nutritious Pumpkin wrote: »

You're on the pigs back. As the man says, drive on

You'll have to do the EDT though.

Ah yeah but sure last time I drove a car was rallying an auld ford escort around the fields as a teen so no harm Have to renew the bike in the next two months so will do both at once.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

shivermetimber wrote: »

Ah yeah but sure last time I drove a car was rallying an auld ford escort around the fields as a teen so no harm Have to renew the bike in the next two months so will do both at once.

You know you can renew the full licence upto 3 months before its expiry date? You can do it now if you wanted, thus the 2 at once.

shivermetimber

Katelyn Nutritious Pumpkin wrote: »

You know you can renew the full licence upto 3 months before its expiry date? You can do it now if you wanted, thus the 2 at once.

Yep