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I’ve joined Damien’s "Dear L Drivers, Shut the fuck up and take the damned test" Facebook group (which he mentions on his blog here), and while I agree, in principle, with the sentiment behind it - this new more relaxed attitude from the Government, while a good idea (yes, people should be given more time to ‘adjust’ to the new law - as Donncha says), could cause even more confusion and annoyance. Opposition parties are already accusing the Government of encouraging motorists to effectively break the law in what they say amounts to a "nudge-nudge, wink-wink approach" and saying that, because of the current backlog in applications for the test, the driving test system may collapse under the weight of new applications. Fun, huh?
Meanwhile, in a poll, which I’ve started, over on ShiteDrivers.com, a small majority of people so far agree with the controversial new learner driver laws (i.e.: you will no no longer be allowed drive alone or without displaying your L-plates if you are a learner driver on any license). Currently, out of only 35 votes, 23 have voted in favour. That’s 64%, but it’s a jump since an hour ago when it was 14 out of 24 (58%), but hey - it’s early days yet, but it may end up just too close to call.
You can cast your vote here.
I’m glad I’ve got my full license, but I do feel sorry for some of my learner friends…
By the way… are these things actually worth the paper they’re printed on?…
![Erik The Viking [1989]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/510J24RSYZL._SL160_.jpg)
4 Responses to “Learner driver laws: too close to call”
I agree with the new laws, it was just how fast they expected they could get it enforced I thought was silly. I read the same “nudge-nudge wink-wink” comments in the Examiner on Saturday but that’s just a cynical way of looking at it.
I always did wonder at learner drivers driving by themselves for years on end ..
(and yes, I’ve had my full license for donkey’s years!)
I agree with the new law but we werent given enough warning. I am on my 2nd prov and am basically screwed for going to work. I’m not gonna risk driving to work, the fine is too much and my car will be impounded. My parents are driving me (and my sister) to work again as of today. The backlog is unreal, 6-8 wks is bullsh*t. I did my test today, flew through it, except the part where I had to reverse around a curb and up a hill, I failed it. It’s ridiculous, who normally does taht when driving anyway? What am I supposed to do, quit my job and go on the dole? My parents are going travelling in August so thats prob whats gonna happen. Looks like I’ll be getting free money off of the government soon, not my fault.
A 6-8 week backlog is no excuse really when learner drivers have known for over 6 MONTHS that these laws were coming in this July. Sorry but I don’t accept the excuse that “we weren’t given enough warning” in the slightest. You should have applied ages ago.
Incidentally I, for one, have had plenty of occasions recently where I’ve had to reverse safely around a corner. It’s a normal part of the test and you need to know it.
Hi,
I’m a foreigner who had come here to work. Since I travel a lot on office work, I applied for my test with the company letter, and got my test date almost after 7 months. I’m no stranger to driving, and its just that I don’t have an international license.
I got my driving test atlast this month, but I failed the test, for a simple reason that I drove around 40 Kph in the area since road was too narrow. I was a bit nervous since this was my first test here which is expected from most people. I did all my other requirement correctly, and did drove to the allowed speed limit when I was in main road and didn’t hold any traffic.
Do you think that I should be failed for just going a bit slow? Its easier to argue about provisional license people should be accompanied, when you are holding a full license for “donkey’s years”. I agree that some provisional license holders are really bad and need to be accompanied, but I have seen that full license holders drive like crazy without using proper signals. Atleast, we are displaying the proper L board to warn others to be careful, but most of us are pretty careful not to cause any trouble.
Its not that we don’t respect the law here or don’t want to take the tests, but when you don’t have a system to provide tests in short period, how do we get around the city for work? I just want to do the test and pass it, but your current system do not have facilities to provide tests in real time.
Most of the accidents are not because or by the L drivers, but who are holding full drivers license. I think govt. should provide better facility to do the tests before imposing strict rules. Besides, public transportation not great or convenient outside dublin city.