Stopped by garda in Donegal

MobileState

Hi all,

I still have only L plates because I have recently moved to Ireland.

They asked me for a license I said I left it at home.

They fined me for a back light but they didn't size the car.

When they check later on what kind of license I have, will they make a new fine?

Could they already see what kind of license I have whiles checking my plate number and my address?

I was with my family (3 years old and 5 years old)

He just said to fix the light right away.

Can I expect some trouble regarding the license?

Thank you for all the information

Ash.J.Williams

Did he ask you to produce it to a garda station of your choice within ten working days?

MobileState

He did not ask to produce my license.

I mean, he did ask but when I said that it's at home he did not ask again to produce it.

Then later, he said that they will send me a fine for a light.

He found my address in a two seconds using some machine.

Can they take a car from me afterwards? If they check at the police station what license I have and then decide to do something?

Raichų

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123391320#Comment_123391320

no

If they didn’t feel the need to ask you to produce it they weren’t worried you didn’t have one and likely just because you got stopped for a brake light he didn’t feel your driving indicated you were a learner/unlicensed.

Raichų

That said OP, if I were you and planning to drive on a learner permit unaccompanied at least have the wherewithal to ensure there’s nothing about your car that will attract undue attention.

MobileState

But he could have easily seen that in their system?

Raichų

Okay your car will be seized from your driveway first thing Monday morning.

Do you prefer that answer?

MobileState

Not really.

I was just wondering if they could have seen it...

Atlantic Dawn

I'd say he let you go at his discretion. If it was me I'd get the rear light fixed right away and forget about the whole thing.

MobileState

The light has already been fixed.

the car won’t be seized now, are you positive they didn’t ask you to produce within 10 days? Your lucky if not as must gardai are clamping down on L plate drivers.

Next Garda won’t be as nice. There was over 5000 vehicles seized in 2023 from learner drivers.

Raichų

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123391459#Comment_123391459

OP, listen

If the Garda knew you were a learner or not doesn’t matter. He was willing to let you go.

If your car was going to be seized it would’ve been seized on the spot. The gardai are not known to be sympathetic.

If you were being fined for driving on a permit then you’d have received notification they will be issuing such a penalty.

Just relax. You are fine. You got away with it. Well done. You should rob a bank next- maybe you’ve been blessed with some good luck.

Or you met a sound Garda. One or the other.

Raichų

if you want to chance the bank idea I’d suggest doing it today though. They’re closed till Monday. Should make it easier.

Just make sure to bring an accompanying driver- don’t want to get your car seized on the getaway from the bank job.

MobileState

He definitely didn't mention any penalty points but he did say that he will send me a ticket to my home address with a fine for a light.

I am already 37 years old and I do have a full driving license but that license is not an Irish. It's non EU and that's not recognized here.

Does anyone know if this will affect my next insurance?

Will I get any penalty points to my L license for having a faul on my car?

10-10-20

Defective lights don't appear to gain you points that I can see.

https://www.theaa.ie/motoring-advice/penalty-points/

I'd suggest that the Garda used their discretion to not pursue you for driving on an L-plate. Maybe your age/experience and driving style helped in this case.

kabakuyu

Stop driving until your have the correct licence.

Raichų

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123391972#Comment_123391972

well that’s a stupid idea- how are they going to practice?

What I think you mean is stop driving unaccompanied; but even that isn’t an option for many people and myself included before I passed my test.

I sympathise with you OP, I really do, I hope I didn’t come across harshly I’m just very tired today. Long story short you are grand and nothing will come of this. If you want to avoid the risk going forward try and get your test done ASAP.

NIMAN

Im more concerned that you are a L driver and prepared to drive around with your 2 young kids in the back

MobileState

I have been driving for the past 19 years, just not in this country.

I am not sure if you are aware that many nations can't have a full Irish license right away only because they are not from EU

Dial Hard

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123392194#Comment_123392194

He's an L driver in Ireland but with a full licence elsewhere. Yes, legally he shouldn't be driving unaccompanied, but he's not necessarily an inexperienced or unsafe driver just because he doesn't have a full Irish licence yet. He could have been driving around, Australia*, let's say, for the past 30 years.

*Chosen as an example because they also drive on the left, just to illustrate the point that non-EU licence doesn't automatically equate to lack of experience on roads comparable to ours.

The Continental Op

OP I think the correct response here is that you should buy a lottery ticket ASP before the luck wears off ;-)

Boggles

Was the back light physically broken or was it just a blown bulb?

It's rare a Guard would sanction you for a blown bulb on the rear especially, although they are entitled to do it.

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123392237#Comment_123392237

I had something similar when I nearly ran a guard sergeant off the road. Totally my fault I knew the junction from a few years earlier and hadn't spotted the priorities had changed. His right of way not mine. While I was insured and had an NCT I'd just picked up a new (to me) car and there was no current tax. I got the impression I got a fine for no tax just because it was the simplest thing the guard could do with the least paperwork, anything to do with dangerous driving was just too much hassle. I suspect something similar here?

NIMAN

If you have a full licence elsewhere, can you not just apply for a full Irish licence?

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123392222#Comment_123392222

Yes, but then you need to follow the process of getting the appropriate license from an EU state. It is a very serious issue for a citizen of a third country to fail to comply with such EU regulations as you could be sanctioned beyond driving regulations

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123392291#Comment_123392291

No. I had to go thru the full licensing process (20 years ago). I understand they've introduced a shortened process for people in that situation now. But it is still a process, not just a license swap.

MobileState

I passed some theory test and I had driving lessons and I applied for a full license, I am waiting for the test.

Raichų

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123392291#Comment_123392291

no.

MobileState

I am from EU country but I have a driving license from non EU country.

In EU country where I am coming from I can drive with a license that I have.

I have two citizenships

Raichų

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123392338#Comment_123392338

ah here would you give it a break. The only penalty the OP will receive if stopped again and discovered to be a learner is their cars seized and they’re getting points alongside the fine this time.

Get caught a few more times and it’s likely disqualification- your post implies some sort of mortal crime is being committed here. It’s a traffic violation.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123392390#Comment_123392390

Let's be fair - it's an ordeal and not a process.

I know from a friend from Texas who was into the car scene over there and used to race on Circuit of the Americas in Austin… and got relegated to driving on a big red L when he moved here. Sweet lord, he's mentally scarred.