Penalty points for L-plates

Billbo2015 · 14-03-2019 11:51am #1

I got a fine out this morning for driving without L signs which I had up when I got stopped and got two penalty points? I’m just wondering does anyone know if there’s a point in appealing this I would never drive without L plates?

biko · 14-03-2019 12:05pm

Hang on,
You were driving along with L-plates back and front?
And then a Garda stops you and fines you for not displaying L-plates?

Something doesn't add up here.

Wheety · 14-03-2019 12:09pm

Did you modify the plates in anyway, like cutting the white away?

bazz26 · 14-03-2019 12:34pm

Maybe the L plates were stuck on the wrong way and looked like a 7.....:pac:

ayux4rj6zql2ph · 14-03-2019 12:37pm

What is a common feature is drivers cutting out the white background and attaching only the red lettering for both L & N plates. Is this what happened OP?

mikeecho · 14-03-2019 12:41pm

Billbo2015 wrote: »

I got a fine out this morning for driving without L signs which I had up when I got stopped and got two penalty points? I’m just wondering does anyone know if there’s a point in appealing this I would never drive without L plates?

You'll have to show us a picture of the L plates as they were on the day.

corks finest · 14-03-2019 12:47pm

Billbo2015 wrote: »

I got a fine out this morning for driving without L signs which I had up when I got stopped and got two penalty points? I’m just wondering does anyone know if there’s a point in appealing this I would never drive without L plates?

Waste of time bud ( especially if you were unaccompanied)?

Billbo2015 · 14-03-2019 1:01pm

mikeecho wrote: »

You'll have to show us a picture of the L plates as they were on the day.

This is the way they have been front and back since I got the car, I got fined unaccompanied I paid already this morning but she added that one herself, she said asked me oh your a learner when I pulled up and looked at L plates and said there will be a fine for unaccompanied out in the post, is there any point of appealing it? And I know she could of done worse for being unaccompanied but I don’t fancy having 2 extra penalty points for having L plates up

mikeecho · 14-03-2019 1:06pm

Maybe he gave u a ticket for non display of plates, rather than a summons for driving unaccompanied, and seizing the car.
You got a ticket for a lesser offence, he might have kinda cut you a break. I don't know for sure.

I know that when driving in the US, We got stopped, for speeding, and the cop wrote the speeding ticket for a lower speed than the driver was actually clocked doing, as the lower speed had a lower fee associated.

OP, you'll have to talk to the Garda that issued the ticket.

Dravokivich · 14-03-2019 1:10pm

mikeecho wrote: »

Maybe he gave u a ticket for non display of plates, rather than a summons for driving unaccompanied, and seizing the car.
You got a ticket for a lesser offence, he might have kinda cut you a break. I don't know for sure.

I know that when driving in the US, We got stopped, for speeding, and the cop wrote the speeding ticket for a lower speed than the driver was actually clocked doing, as the lower speed had a lower fee associated.

OP, you'll have to talk to the Garda that issued the ticket.

I thought there's meant to be no garda desecration permitted for an unaccompanied learner though? They aren't allowed to wave it on.

partyguinness · 14-03-2019 1:15pm

Billbo2015 wrote: »

This is the way they have been front and back since I got the car, I got fined unaccompanied I paid already this morning but she added that one herself, she said asked me oh your a learner when I pulled up and looked at L plates and said there will be a fine for unaccompanied out in the post, is there any point of appealing it? And I know she could of done worse for being unaccompanied but I don’t fancy having 2 extra penalty points for having L plates up

I have to say that sticker looks suspiciously...how do I put it.....fresh.;)

Isambard · 14-03-2019 1:31pm

mikeecho wrote: »

Maybe he gave u a ticket for non display of plates, rather than a summons for driving unaccompanied, and seizing the car.
You got a ticket for a lesser offence, he might have kinda cut you a break. I don't know for sure.

I know that when driving in the US, We got stopped, for speeding, and the cop wrote the speeding ticket for a lower speed than the driver was actually clocked doing, as the lower speed had a lower fee associated.

OP, you'll have to talk to the Garda that issued the ticket.

Bilbo said he already paid the fine for driving unaccompanied.

mikeecho · 14-03-2019 1:34pm

Dravokivich wrote: »

I thought there's meant to be no garda desecration permitted for an unaccompanied learner though? They aren't allowed to wave it on.

Well.. the OP wasn't waved through.. an action was taken.

You know that thought did ...

Thought thought his arse was sticking out of bed so he got out to push it in

Thought thought he only farted, but he s hit the bed

Thought thought etc etc... I was bombarded with these sayings as a child, every time I said.. But I thought.

mikeecho · 14-03-2019 1:38pm

OSI wrote: »

That L Plate (fresh or not) is not a legally valid plate.

This I have to hear .. it's gonna be good

iwillhtfu · 14-03-2019 1:41pm

OSI wrote: »

That L Plate (fresh or not) is not a legally valid plate.

Go on enlighten us.

iwillhtfu · 14-03-2019 1:43pm

Lilly Crashing Stratosphere wrote: »

What is a common feature is drivers cutting out the white background and attaching only the red lettering for both L & N plates. Is this what happened OP?

I think most of the young lads cut away all but a 2cm background of white which is all that's required not the white square you typically see.

troyzer · 14-03-2019 1:44pm

iwillhtfu wrote: »

I think most of the young lads cut away all but a 2cm background of white which is all that's required not the white square you typically see.

I have no idea why they do this.

biko · 14-03-2019 1:46pm

Learner permit holders for cars must display L-plates to the front and rear of the vehicle they are driving at all times. The plate should be a red ‘L’ on a white background and should not be less than 15cm high with a border of at least 2cm.

SRC

Voodoomelon · 14-03-2019 1:49pm

troyzer wrote: »

I have no idea why they do this.

Because L plates are "uncool" and removing the white background makes them less visible.

Isambard · 14-03-2019 1:49pm

iwillhtfu wrote: »

Go on enlighten us.

doesn't seem to have 2cm border, not that I've measured it

Dravokivich · 14-03-2019 1:57pm

mikeecho wrote: »

Well.. the OP wasn't waved through.. an action was taken.

You know that thought did ...

Thought thought his arse was sticking out of bed so he got out to push it in

Thought thought he only farted, but he s hit the bed

Thought thought etc etc... I was bombarded with these sayings as a child, every time I said.. But I thought.

No need for the pissy remarks. It was referenced as something that descretion couldn't be applied to when the bill was being proposed. I was wondering if that remained when it was enacted.

TheChizler · 14-03-2019 1:59pm

Billbo2015 wrote: »

And I know she could of done worse for being unaccompanied but I don’t fancy having 2 extra penalty points for having L plates up

You can only get one set of penalty points in a single incident, AFAIK driving unaccompanied is 2 points and not having plates up is the same, so the most you can get is 2 points.

tuxy · 14-03-2019 2:01pm

TheChizler wrote: »

You can only get one set of penalty points in a single incident, AFAIK driving unaccompanied is 2 points and not having plates up is the same, so the most you can get is 2 points.

You are correct I know someone who recently got caught and fined for speeding(3 point) and no N plates(2 points) in the same stop.

They had 3 points applied to their licence.

V8 Interceptor · 14-03-2019 2:20pm

troyzer wrote: »

I have no idea why they do this.

Same reason they lower cars. Some misguided sense of style I guess.

mikeecho · 14-03-2019 2:23pm

Dravokivich wrote: »

No need for the pissy remarks. It was referenced as something that descretion couldn't be applied to when the bill was being proposed. I was wondering if that remained when it was enacted.

Wasn't intended to be pissy, didn't mean to come across like that.

As for discretion.. it hasn't been abolished as of yet.

The day discretion is gone, we'll all be on here bitching about getting tickets for amber lights, not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign, and every other little discretion we do as daily drivers.

Pinch Flat · 14-03-2019 2:25pm

So driving illegally unaccompanied and without correct L plates. How do you think an appeal with work out OP?

mikeecho · 14-03-2019 2:27pm

Pinch Flat wrote: »

So driving illegally unaccompanied and without correct L plates. How do you think an appeal with work out OP?

A small fine, and the rest taken into consideration.

If you go to a district Court you'll see repeat offenders for no insurance only being fined €500

Courts aren't a deterrent.. and they definitely aren't punishment

gormdubhgorm · 14-03-2019 2:27pm

iwillhtfu wrote: »

I think most of the young lads cut away all but a 2cm background of white which is all that's required not the white square you typically see.

troyzer wrote: »

I have no idea why they do this.

My guess would be taking away the white bit makes it less noticeable, therefore them feel less inadequate when trying to show off to thier peer group.

In other words showing off to da burds and da buds.

gormdubhgorm · 14-03-2019 2:37pm

When I think of it when I see an L plate with the white bits cut off, I immediately leave more space then 'normal L plates' if the driver is in front of me.
They have a tendency to be more erratic than the average learner I find.
It is like an extra warning sign!

The unaccompanied rule was not around when I did my test.
You could fail it and drive away on your own. Which is mad when I think of it.
At the same time I think the rule on unaccompanied drivers is a bit harsh on L drivers who have no other way to get around and/or drive locally.

However, my advice to to OP is leave well enough alone, take it on the chin,
And do not draw any more undue attention on yourself as you were unaccompanied.

Pinch Flat · 14-03-2019 2:53pm

mikeecho wrote: »

A small fine, and the rest taken into consideration.

If you go to a district Court you'll see repeat offenders for no insurance only being fined €500

Courts aren't a deterrent.. and they definitely aren't punishment

I agree, the Clancy amendment makes more sense - seize the vehicle.

CoBo55 · 14-03-2019 3:10pm

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

When I think of it when I see an L plate with the white bits cut off, I immediately leave more space then 'normal L plates' if the driver is in front of me.
They have a tendency to be more erratic than the average learner I find.
It is like an extra warning sign!

The unaccompanied rule was not around when I did my test.
You could fail it and drive away on your own. Which is mad when I think of it.
At the same time I think the rule on unaccompanied drivers is a bit harsh on L drivers who have no other way to get around and/or drive locally.

However, my advice to to OP is leave well enough alone, take it on the chin,
And do not draw any more undue attention on yourself as you were unaccompanied.

The unaccompanied rule has always been around, but, like many motoring laws in Ireland it was ignored until some poor fcukers family was wiped out by a young one driving like the clappers.

gormdubhgorm · 14-03-2019 3:22pm

According to this the OP could have gotten a fine of up to €1000 and his/her vehicle could have been seized

https://passthetest.ie/new-laws/

iwillhtfu · 14-03-2019 3:31pm

OSI wrote: »

There is required to be a 2cm white border surrounding the outer edges of the L. There is most definitely not 2cm the whole way around on that plate.

You'd have to be some right thunder **** to pull them up on that I'd say there's about 13mm at the bottom and top possibly 14mm :rolleyes:

Billbo2015 · 14-03-2019 5:01pm

Pinch Flat wrote: »

So driving illegally unaccompanied and without correct L plates. How do you think an appeal with work out OP?

Who doesn’t have correct L plates?

Billbo2015 · 14-03-2019 5:03pm

tuxy wrote: »

You are correct I know someone who recently got caught and fined for speeding(3 point) and no N plates(2 points) in the same stop.

They had 3 points applied to their licence.

No it says 2 for driving unaccompanied and 2 for L plates .. would this just be made into one offence as they are ok separate paper but sent in the same letter

partyguinness · 14-03-2019 5:06pm

TBH OP if that is all you are being done for I would take it and be done with it.

Your word against the Garda's in Court- you have no chance.

tuxy · 14-03-2019 5:13pm

Billbo2015 wrote: »

No it says 2 for driving unaccompanied and 2 for L plates .. would this just be made into one offence as they are ok separate paper but sent in the same letter

What happen is you have to pay the combined fine for both offences but only one offence(the more serious one if they carry different points) will add points to your licence.

punisher5112 · 14-03-2019 5:20pm

You pay both fines but only get points for one as pointed out.

Example I speed and get fine is 3 points and then I drive the wrong way down the motorway I get 2 points.

I get 2 fines but only get the 3 points and not add them up to get 5.

tuxy · 14-03-2019 5:24pm

It will be 4 points if you decide to appeal this and fail and you will still get the 2 points for being unaccompanied if you win the appeal on the L plates.

Budawanny · 14-03-2019 5:30pm

Billbo2015 wrote: »

I got a fine out this morning for driving without L signs which I had up when I got stopped and got two penalty points? I’m just wondering does anyone know if there’s a point in appealing this I would never drive without L plates?

Probably a mistake. it happens. pulse is not a very forgiving system.

Contact the guard and fine out.

ohnonotgmail · 14-03-2019 5:31pm

CoBo55 wrote: »

The unaccompanied rule has always been around, but, like many motoring laws in Ireland it was ignored until some poor fcukers family was wiped out by a young one driving like the clappers.

The current rule has not always been around. I was legally allowed to drive unaccompanied when i had my second provisional licence.

Billbo2015 · 14-03-2019 5:34pm

tuxy wrote: »

You are correct I know someone who recently got caught and fined for speeding(3 point) and no N plates(2 points) in the same stop.

They had 3 points applied to their licence.

No it says 2 for driving unaccompanied and 2 for L plates .. would this just be made into one offence as they are ok separate paper but sent in the same letter

tuxy · 14-03-2019 5:36pm

Billbo2015 wrote: »

No it says 2 for driving unaccompanied and 2 for L plates .. would this just be made into one offence as they are ok separate paper but sent in the same letter

2 offences, 2 fines, one set of points added to licence.

ShellBell89 · 14-03-2019 5:44pm

I'd count yourself lucky you didn't get a €1000 fine & your cars seized as well

Billbo2015 · 14-03-2019 8:54pm

tuxy wrote: »

What happen is you have to pay the combined fine for both offences but only one offence(the more serious one if they carry different points) will add points to your licence.

I know but they came out on separate fines different sheets so would they be a combined fine because it happened at the same time?

iwillhtfu · 14-03-2019 9:30pm

OSI wrote: »

Or just be pissed off enough at someone pushing their luck after being caught doing one offence.

If you pulled someone for something and they decided to be a cheeky **** I'd be more than happy to find every little detail I could book em on.

Coincidentally I was behind a car with N plates this evening and they were almost identical to OPs. I wonder are they actually being sold like that in some places.

Yup seems to be the case these are from Halfords and it certainly doesn't look like 20mm at top and bottom

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TheChizler · 14-03-2019 9:39pm

iwillhtfu wrote: »

Coincidentally I was behind a car with N plates this evening and they were almost identical to OPs. I wonder are they actually being sold like that in some places.

Yup seems to be the case these are from Halfords and it certainly doesn't look like 20mm at top and bottom

I've seen ones for sale with most of the white cut out as well, not sure it's drivers doing the cutting. Don't think the law says they have to be square (maybe it does?) so as long as the border is 2cm they might be legal.

Edit: I see you already suggested this!

V8 Interceptor · 14-03-2019 10:28pm

CoBo55 wrote: »

The unaccompanied rule has always been around, but, like many motoring laws in Ireland it was ignored until some poor fcukers family was wiped out by a young one driving like the clappers.

Incorrect.

troyzer · 15-03-2019 8:04am

V8 Interceptor wrote: »

Incorrect.

Correct.

The only thing the Clancy amendement changes is that the car can be seized and the owner made liable. It was always illegal to drive unaccompanied.

punisher5112 · 15-03-2019 8:14am

troyzer wrote: »

Correct.

The only thing the Clancy amendement changes is that the car can be seized and the owner made liable. It was always illegal to drive unaccompanied.

Only time permitted was on 2nd provisional back in the day.

So you could actually arrive for your test with L plates on and legally drive on even if you failed.

Now since it became a learning permit this was got rid of.

People driving 30 years on a provisional is just nuts.

troyzer · 15-03-2019 8:17am

punisher5112 wrote: »

Only time permitted was on 2nd provisional back in the day.

So you could actually arrive for your test with L plates on and legally drive on even if you failed.

Now since it became a learning permit this was got rid of.

People driving 30 years on a provisional is just nuts.

You must be talking REALLY back in the day. As long as I can remember, it's been illegal. End of story. No exceptions.

Penalty points for L-plates

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