New drivers to display novice ‘N’ plates from next month

Jesus. wrote: »

The problem I have with that is most people saying its great and that new drivers should be put through the mincer, are the same guys who didn't have to go through a quarter of this sh*t when they got theirs.

Pull the ladder up after yourself there boys :P

I say that because I have been through it and know what a joke the system was and still is. The driving test when I took mine (about 13 years ago) was an absolute piss take; fill out a form to get a provisional license (which you could legally drive unaccompanied on your second and subsequent provisional), potter around town with a tester for half an hour, do a hill start, reverse around a corner, dont do anything stupid and away you went with your license. And sure if you failed what harm; you could still drive perfectly legal on a provisional license until you bothered to take it again. I left the driver education system with an understanding of the bare minimum basics of driving (ie how to get from A to B without causing an accident), but thats about it.

Its not much better nowadays. The theory test has improved things somewhat in that at least those driving around happy as Larry on a learners permit have shown that they at least have a basic grasp of the rules of the road (or that they can fluke a 40 question multiple choice exam). Im not sure what its like nowadays but a few years back the test became a money generator in that nobody passed first or even second time, so I guess making it that strict made people have to improve a bit before taking the test. But overall its still about as mickey mouse as they can make it without just handing out licenses at the post office. Test is a joke, the system is nonsense and zero enforcement means that there is no reason for anyone to see the learners permit as a means to learning properly to drive with a view to passing the test.

Does anybody know how our driving test compares to other countries? uk, usa, Scandinavia etc.

How do they differ in terms of difficulty & strictness?

Moneymaker wrote: »

I for one never drove unaccompanied when I was a Learner.

Simple reason being I knew I did not have the experience to handle every situation that can arise on my own and I could be a potential risk to other motorists. 2 years with a full licence and I still don't consider myself an experienced and 100% polished driver.

I was definitely the exception to the rule however, the amount of L plate cars that are occupied by one person is almost laughable. 10 min drive to work, I will see anything from 3-5 of them. It's crazy.

The amount of them on the motorways is crazy. Now that could just be a case of a fully licensed driver being too lazy to take down the plates but still...

I guess why go for €60 fines when you can park up on a motorway slip road and fire out €80s to your hearts content.

djimi wrote: »

I say that because I have been through it and know what a joke the system was and still is. The driving test when I took mine (about 13 years ago) was an absolute piss take; fill out a form to get a provisional license (which you could legally drive unaccompanied on your second and subsequent provisional), potter around town with a tester for half an hour, do a hill start, reverse around a corner, dont do anything stupid and away you went with your license. And sure if you failed what harm; you could still drive perfectly legal on a provisional license until you bothered to take it again. I left the driver education system with an understanding of the bare minimum basics of driving (ie how to get from A to B without causing an accident), but thats about it.

That always struck me as bizarre; fail your test essentially proving yourself incompetent of being on the road and yet you drive away from it. Ireland eh? :eek:

cson wrote: »

That always struck me as bizarre; fail your test essentially proving yourself incompetent of being on the road and yet you drive away from it. Ireland eh? :eek:

What nonsense, how are they going to improve their driving to do a retest without driving?

Francie Barrett wrote: »

It's fair enough that they're clamping down on new drivers, but what about all the other maniacs on the road?

What really needs to happen is mandatory 2 year retests.

I do think if you rack up a certain number of points over a short period of time, a retest should be enforced.

Brian wrote: »

Just because there are L plates on a car doesn't mean the person inside is a learner driver.

In the UK, it does as it is an offense to leave the L plates up when a non "l" driver is driving.
We should do the same over here.

I don't really understand the reason for this to be honest. I can see the point of L plates - I'd give the person more room automatically and if they drive a little oddly I know won't wonder why.

But a person who has passed their test I expect to be able to drive. Obviously they are probably less competent than an experienced driver, but I can't really see what we're supposed to do when we see someone with N plates.

So am I reading this correctly ... A Novice who is caught speeding / using phone in car twice in three years will have his license suspended? 3pts+3pts!!?

As if.

djimi wrote: »

Mandatory restesting period I support. Not every 2 years though; more like once every 10 years. I see no issues with ensuring that people keep their standards high.

People's standards deteriorate a lot more rapidly after they hit 65 though. Even basic stuff like eyesight, reaction time etc.
I would support mandatory retests for everyone every 10 years but make it every 1 or 2 years if you are over 65.

Not that such a logical system will ever be brought in here though. We think we are safe drivers once we dont speed, and the only "enforcement" of our traffic laws is either $peed cameras or the odd tax checkpoint.

blue note wrote: »

I don't really understand the reason for this to be honest. I can see the point of L plates - I'd give the person more room automatically and if they drive a little oddly I know won't wonder why.

But a person who has passed their test I expect to be able to drive. Obviously they are probably less competent than an experienced driver, but I can't really see what we're supposed to do when we see someone with N plates.

There is a huge difference in being able to do something, and being able to do it well..

BuffyBot wrote: »

There is a huge difference in being able to do something, and being able to do it well..

I agree, but what am to do differently when I see one? I just don't really see the purpose of having them displayed.

pippip wrote: »

I think what needs to happen is people need to start learning to drive at a younger age. Any of my mates from the country all learned to drive as soon as they legally could as they knew it was the only way to get around their area.
City people should be doing the same so when it comes time to get a job they don't suddenly realise they need a licence as the only place they can get work is outside the city. It should also be introduced into secondary level education, obviously not as part of the curriculum.

Learn to drive before you need to drive.

I agree with you about the secondary school bit, but not everyone can learn to drive whenever they feel like it! Especially not at 17.

I know this might be a small bit off topic, but does anybody else think that the government should do something about the learner permit situation for works vehicles?
To me, I can't understand how it's illegal to drive a micra on your own at 17 (which I fully support btw), but after passing a multiple choice exam, you can drive what is essentially an articulated lorry (tractor + trailer) at 16, perfectly legally!
Ive had a few occasions where I've almost ended up in the ditch to avoid some lad who came flying around a bend n half my side of the road, and just continues on like nothing happened!

b_mac2 wrote: »

Can someone clear the question up about if you have a full car licence prior to August? Are you still required to wear the "N" tabard on a bike once you pass your full A test?

Absolutely, the bike licence is a new licence in it's own right as defined by the Road Traffic Act so you are a novice bike driver but not necessarily a novice car driver :

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1961/en/act/pub/0024/sec0003.html#sec3

“driving licence” has the meaning specified in subsection (1) of section 22;

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1961/en/act/pub/0024/sec0022.html#sec22

22.—
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Part of this Act, a person may apply to a licensing authority for a licence (in this Act referred to as a driving licence) to drive mechanically propelled vehicles of a specified class