A and C Driving School

29/07/2016

Statement from the Road Safety Authority, Thursday 28th July, 2016


Following the deaths of 11 road users in the last five days, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is today Thursday 28th July renewing its appeal, ahead of the high risk Bank Holiday weekend, for all road users to take greater care when using the roads.

“Eleven deaths is an appalling loss of life” said Ms. Moyagh Murdock, CEO, Road Safety Authority, “and our thoughts are with all of the 105 families who have been left grieving the loss of a loved one to date this year.”

“These deaths should serve as a reminder to us all that using the road is the most dangerous thing we do each day. All it takes is a split second for tragedy to strike.”

“I would appeal to drivers to act responsibility, drive at the right speed for the conditions, don’t drive when impaired either through alcohol, drugs or fatigue and always wear a seatbelt and ensure passengers are wearing theirs too, no matter how short the trip. Designate a driver or leave the car at home completely and take a taxi. Do not take a lift from a friend who has been drinking, report them to the Gardaí if they refuse to listen to sense. Vulnerable road users too need to ensure their safety by or example being seen on the road with reflective clothing. .”

Ms. Murdock also added that “times like this should strengthen our resolve to press ahead with the implementation of the measures contained in the Government Road Safety Strategy. Important road safety measures such as Chemical Roadside Testing for Drugs which is contained in the new Road Traffic Bill. Enforcement also plays a critical role and both the RSA Chairperson and I met with the Garda Commissioner this week to stress this very point. However, while the Government and public agencies have a responsibility to ensure the roads are made safer, as individuals we must play our part too and accept greater responsibility for our behaviour on the road only by doing this can we prevent the kind of carnage we have witnessed this week.”

105 people have lost their lives on Irish roads to date in 2016. This represents an 18% increase on last year (+16 deaths). 18 lives have been lost to date in the month of July 2016.



RSA
Road Safety Authority

22/07/2016

Meath Haulage Operator Fined in Breach of Driver’s Hours
Following an investigation by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), Keegan Quarries Limited, Trammon, Rathmolyon, Co. Meath appeared at Navan District Court on 17 June 2016.


The Court imposed a fine of €3000 in respect of the charges relating to tachograph records that were not in compliance with driver’s hour’s regulations and also required the company to meet the RSA costs of €890.


The RSA investigation revealed serious and systematic non-compliance by the company to download data from the driver’s tachograph cards and monitor driver’s hours as well as failures in respect of record keeping.


EU Tachograph Regulations require employers of drivers to download driver records each month. The clear purpose of the EU regulations is to place a responsibility on an employer to use tachograph records in order to prevent violations of the driver’s hours rules and to promote road safety. After driving for 4.5 hours, a break of at least 45 minutes is mandatory and this break can be distributed over the 4.5 hours.


The EU tachograph and driver’s hours rules are designed to protect against driver fatigue, which is a contributory factor in one in five driver deaths in Ireland and to protect the travelling public. The existence of these regulations and the detailed requirements designed to promote road safety, are widely known by employers of heavy goods vehicle drivers. Operators in breach of driver’s hour’s requirements are profiting from undercutting compliant operators and contributing to unfair competition in the road haulage industry.


The Road Safety Authority is working hard to make our roads safer. A more targeted approach towards enforcement is being implemented and those operators who are serially and seriously non-compliant are being targeted by the Authority and the Garda Síochána. The Authority wishes to minimise disruption to the most compliant operators. A stepped approach to enforcement is applied by the RSA and only the most serious cases are taken to Court.

10/06/2016

89 Incidents at Level Crossings in 2015


Friday 10 June 2016: Figures from Iarnród Éireann have revealed that there were 89 incidents at level crossings around the country in 2015 which resulted in a vehicle, person or property being struck by a train or barrier.

To mark International Level Crossing Awareness Day today, 10 June, the Road Safety Authority (RSA), Iarnród Éireann and the Commission for Railway Regulation (CRR) have today, launched a campaign to make road-users aware of the importance of safety at level crossings and the dangers of their misuse.

Of the 89 incidents, 61 involved vehicles and five involved pedestrians. 20 incidents were classified as Category 1, the most serious type, meaning the driver of the train had to apply the emergency break in order to avoid a more serious outcome. In one incident in Dublin, a lady pushing a pram was hit by the barrier as it closed, narrowly avoiding a more serious injury. In another incident, a pedestrian under the influence of alcohol was spotted on the tracks, having ignored the level crossing warning signs that a train was approaching.

Of particular concern are the incidents of unsafe behaviour at unattended level crossings which are more likely to end in serious injury or fatality. There are 149 unattended level crossings on roads around the country, usually found on minor or private roads where there are relatively low levels of traffic. To support the level crossings campaign, an online information video has been produced to advise road-users how to use this type of crossing safely. The video provides step-by-step advice on how to approach and cross an unattended level crossing. Road-users are reminded that they are solely responsible for opening the gates before crossing the tracks and ensuring the gates are securely shut again once they have crossed to the other side. Failure to shut the gates could have serious consequences for another road-user.

Don Cunningham, Director, Iarnród Éireann Infrastructure said:

“In one year alone, there were almost 90 ‘near misses’ at level crossings around the country. These incidents could have had very serious consequences for the person involved, the train and its passengers, and other road-users. People simply should not take risks at level crossings. Unattended level crossings also pose a serious risk so it is important that road-users take responsibility for opening and closing the gates properly when passing through. If the gates are left open, another road-user might think that it is safe to cross without due care and the consequences could be very serious.”


Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority said:

“It is vital that road-users treat level crossings with extreme caution, in particular those that are unattended. Trains are high-powered, high speed vehicles and in the event of a collision, the consequences for a car, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian could be catastrophic. This video provides simple steps for what to do when attempting to cross an unattended level crossing in order to ensure you and other road-users stay safe. The rule of thumb is to always expect a train. Failure to treat level crossings with due care and attention could have serious or fatal consequences.”


Gerald Beesley, Commissioner, Commission for Railway Regulation said:

“I strongly welcome any initiative that addresses the importance of safety at railway level crossings, where a near miss is only a step away from a serious injury. You should always expect a train. I urge you to act safely and use the Rail Cross Code, so that you and other level crossing users will arrive home safe.”

The RSA, Iarnród Éireann and the CRR today signed a joint Statement of Intent to facilitate the sharing of information, experience and ideas in relation to safety at public road level crossings. This addresses an action in the Government Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 to educate road-users on the correct use of railway level crossings through collaboration on a range of education and awareness initiatives.

The safety at level crossings awareness campaign also includes a national and local radio advertising campaign which will commence on Monday 13 June. The information video is available to view on the RSA’s YouTube page here. A booklet, ‘Safety at Level Crossings’, can be downloaded from the RSA website here.

For further information on safety at railway level crossings please visit www.rsa.ie, www.irishrail.ie or www.crr.ie

Road-users are advised to use the ‘Rail Cross Code’ when crossing an unattended level crossing:

1. Always expect a train. Failure to do so could have serious consequences.

2. Stop, look both ways, and listen - unattended level crossings are guarded by iron gates and accompanied by stop signs. You should stop your vehicle well clear of the gates to allow enough room to open fully away from the tracks.

Switch off any mobile or music devices that might prevent you from hearing an approaching train and open the windows on the driver and passenger sides of your vehicle. If you are on foot or on a bicycle, remove your headphones, hood or other items of clothing that might impair your sight or hearing. Carefully read and follow the instructions provided at the level crossing. After opening the gates on both sides of the train tracks, drive forward and stop behind the white line.

Look both ways, looking for the lights of an approaching train and listening for a train horn.

3. Give way to trains. Let any approaching train pass, then look both ways again

4. When the railway is clear, cross quickly - Only when the tracks are clear in both directions should you cross. Drive across the train tracks and stop well clear of the crossing on the opposite side.

5. Shut and fasten both gates after you - even if there is traffic behind you, make certain the gates are properly shut before moving on. If you have opened the gate, you are responsible for ensuring that the gate is properly shut afterwards. Don’t assume someone else will do it. If the gates were open when you arrived and you have crossed the railway, make sure you close and secure the gates afterwards. Don’t just leave them open or assume someone else will close them. Not only is this reckless, it is against the law.

27/11/2015

Ref 71/2015

Closure of Rathgar Driving Test Centre

I can now confirm that the last day of testing in Rathgar DTC will be Friday 15th January 2016.

Over the past number of weeks, the RSA have examined several locations within the South Dublin area with a view to finding a suitable location. We have identified an alternative temporary location at Rochestown Lodge & Spa Hotel, Rochestown Avenue, Dun Laoghaire which will be operational from 18th January 2016. We are currently working to put this in place and to ensure communications are issued to advise customers of this. To this end, we will be placing a notice on the RSA website tomorrow 25th November. We are also preparing to issue letters/emails to all candidates who have applied for a test in Rathgar explaining the situation to them and these will issue in the next week.

Given the timelines we work to, it is unlikely that we will be able to accommodate all candidates who have applied for a test in Rathgar with an appointment there prior to the closure date, however we will move those candidates to the Dun Laoghaire location or any other Test Centre of their choice.

The RSA are also working with the OPW to identify a more long term solution and a location at Clonard Road, Crumlin has been found suitable, however it needs some works to be completed before it is fit for purpose. This work is currently in the planning stages and it would be hoped that it would be up and running in mid-2016. Once the location in Crumlin is completed, we envisage that we will cease testing in the Dun Laoghaire location and move testing operations from there to Crumlin. Therefore at this stage, we would see testing in Dun Laoghaire happening for a six month period and then moving to Crumlin.

I will update you once we have any further developments on the matter and I appreciate your assistance and co-operation.

Kind regards

Katharina Coyne | Head of Driver Testing
Road Safety Authority
Moy Business Park
Primrose Hill
Ballina
Co. Mayo

Tel: 096.25000
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RSA
Road Safety Authority

27/08/2015

18/06/2015

RSA & GARDAI TARGET NEW CAMPAIGN AT CYCLISTS & HGV DRIVERS TO HIGHLIGHT 'BLIND SPOTS' ON TRUCKS

- If you can’t see the driver, the driver can’t see you!
- 54 Vulnerable Road Users killed in urban areas following collision with trucks

To mark the start of Bike Week 13th – 21st June, the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána, have today, Monday 15th June, 2015 launched a new campaign, targeting cyclists and truck drivers. The aim of the campaign is to highlight the existence of the ‘Blind Spots’ around trucks.

Due to their size and design, a truck has significant blind spots that present a danger to vulnerable road users. A driver’s field of vision, within a cab, is limited; the area immediately in front, behind and to the left of the vehicle is often hidden from view and cyclists and pedestrians are at an increased risk of being struck.

In Ireland’s urban areas, between 2007 and May 2015, 54 Vulnerable Road Users (cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists) were killed in collisions involving trucks. Collisions involving trucks accounted for 20% of urban VRU fatalities.

Commenting on the new campaign Mr Paschal Donohoe TD, Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport said, “A blind spot is an area around a vehicle not visible to the driver and there are many on a truck which pose added risks for both cyclists and pedestrians. Sadly, this issue has directly led to a number of fatal and serious injury collisions. Ireland has taken progressive steps to improve the indirect vision of a truck driver by requiring the fitment of additional mirrors on the cab since 2010 which has halved the number of deaths linked to the blind spot issue. However, it hasn’t eliminated casualties, therefore I really welcome this new campaign, which will help to raise greater awareness of the issue among cyclists and truck drivers.”

According to Ms Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority, the message is simple, “If you cannot see the driver, the driver cannot see you. Cyclists need to be aware of the existence of the ‘Danger Zone’ on trucks and should never ride along the kerb side of a truck, especially if it’s turning left. Truck drivers too need to be aware of the fact that the mirrors on their cab will not always give them a total view of any cyclists that may be riding alongside or behind the vehicle. So drivers should lookout for cyclists at junctions and especially when turning left.”

Ms. Murdock also took the opportunity to highlight the danger of the blind spot on trucks for pedestrians, particularly older pedestrians. “Collison investigations have shown that pedestrians crossing the road in slow moving urban traffic too close to the area immediately in front of a truck, which is normally hidden from the driver’s view, may well have been a significant contributory factor in the deaths of older pedestrians. Pedestrians, especially older people, are therefore advised never to cross the road in front of large vehicles.”

Chief Superintendent Mark Curran, Garda National Traffic Bureau (GNTB) said, “This is a very worthwhile campaign and An Garda Síochána fully supports any initiative that makes it safer for our most vulnerable road users. Cycling in particular is a very safe activity, a popular mode of transport and a great way to keep fit...but we all must realise the dangers that are out there, especially when in close proximity to large vehicles at junctions and when turning left. This new video released today really shows the difficulties that drivers of large vehicles face and as said already if you can’t see the driver, the driver cannot see you.”

While (Class VI) 'Cyclops' mirrors are now required on the front of all larger trucks to help eliminate this problem, Ms Murdock reminded drivers that they needed to be positioned correctly or they wouldn’t be able to detect pedestrians or cyclists in the space immediately in front of the cab.

To mark Bike Week 13th – 21st June the RSA has developed a new 30 second video to highlight the danger of the blind spot on trucks. The video is aimed at both cyclists and goods vehicle drivers and will be deployed online and promoted on social media. In addition the RSA will be screening its 60 second cycling safety TV advert, running 20 second cut downs of the ad through Video on Demand (VOD) and promoting its four Rules of the Road for Cyclists videos online.

05/12/2014

Just take a look at the blind spots of the truck driver. Just because you can see the truck does not mean that the driver can see you.

03/12/2014

It's that time of year when the roads become busier than normal. If you know anybody who may be a nervous driver or someone who would like to learn how to drive, in a calm, friendly and professional environment, then give me a call on 087-783 2626 or contact me through my website http://aandcdrivingschool.ie/
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11/07/2014

Introduction of N-plates to the Driver Licensing System Effective From 1st August 2014
10th July 2014

Introduction of N Plates
An ‘N’ Plate is a symbol to be displayed during the period where a driver is considered a ‘Novice’ driver. The various scenarios and questions set out below are designed to assist the reader in understanding precisely when an ‘N’ plate / tabard must be displayed.
The introduction of this important step is a continuation of Ireland’s Graduated Driver Licensing system (GDL). Research clearly indicates that the highest period of risk for a driver is the first two years following initial qualification. This measure is designed to reduce that risk by letting other road users know that the driver has qualified within the preceding two previous years and incentivising good driving behaviour by reducing the Penalty point threshold. It is expected that this measure will assist new drivers into becoming safe and socially responsible road users.
There is no requirement for novice drivers to have an accompanying driver – this is still only the case for learner drivers. However, a novice driver may not act as an accompanying driver for someone who holds a learner permit.
In this document you will find information about changes to the driver licensing regime that will apply effective from 1st August 2014. The information provided is for guidance and is not an interpretation of the law.
Summary of changes as it applies to new holders of a driving licence
A person granted a first full driving licence on or after 1st August 2014 must display N-plates on the vehicle for a period of 2 years, and during that period display N-plates on any other vehicle in respect of which they get a driving licence. Where the vehicle is a motorcycle, the rider must wear an N – tabard.
Any period where the person is disqualified or otherwise ceases to hold a licence is not counted as part of the two years as a Novice.
The novice period applies only once ie a person 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.
Non-display of N plates is an offence under traffic law and is punishable by a fine not exceeding €1,000 for a first offence. On becoming a fixed change the failure to display an N-plate will carry 2 penalty points on payment of a fixed charge, or 4 on conviction.
A lower threshold of penalty points leading to disqualification will apply to
any driver who is granted their first learner permit on or after 1 August 2014 while they drive under a learner permit, and subsequently during the first two years while they drive under their first full driving licence.

In this document the term ‘driving licence’ means a ‘full driving licence’.
More details about the changes together with questions and answers are set out below.
Position regarding N Plates
Q1.
What are N plates?
Ans:
N plates are a system of plates (similar to L- plates) which indicate that the driver is a novice driver i.e. has not held a driving licence in any category for a minimum period of two years.
Q2.
What are the dimensions of N plates?
Ans:
Rectangular plates or signs bearing the letter N not less than 15 centimetres high in red on a white ground in clearly visible vertical positions to the front and rear of the vehicle.
Q3.
What does an N-plate indicate?
Ans:
That the driver is a Novice, which means he/she has not had a driving licence for a total period of two years. (It does not matter how long you may have held a learner permit).
Q4.
What drivers are required to display N plates?
Ans:
Drivers granted a first full driving licence on or after 1st August 2014 must display N plates for a period of 2 years.
Q5.
From what date does the requirement to display N plates apply?
Ans:
1st August, 2014
Q6.
If I held a driving licence before August but have not held the licence for a minimum period of 2 years, am I required to display N plates?
Ans:
No if you held a driving licence issued prior to 1st August 2014, you are not required to display N plates.
Q7.
If I held a driving licence for an automatic car before 1st August but have not held that licence for a minimum period of 2 years and I get a driving licence for a manual car after 1st August, am I required to display N plates?
Ans:
No if your first licence issued prior to 1st August 2014, you are not required to display N plates.
Position regarding being a motorcyclist
Q1.
What are the dimensions of an N-tabard ?
Ans:
A yellow fluorescent tabard worn over the person’s outside clothing
bearing the letter “N” not less than 15 centimetres high in red on a white ground in clearly visible vertical positions to the front and rear of the person’s torso.
Q2.
If I get a first learner permit before 1 August 2014, and subsequent to that date pass the driving test in a motorcycle category and am granted a
driving licence, am I required to display N-plates?
Ans:
Yes, you are required to wear an N- tabard when you get a first full driving licence.
Q3.
If I get a first learner permit after 1 August 2014, and subsequently pass the driving test in a motorcycle category and am granted a driving licence, am I required to wear an N- tabard?
Ans:
Yes, you are required to wear an N- tabard.
Q4.
To which motorcycle driving licence category does the requirement to wear an N-tabard apply?
Ans:
Any of the motorcycle categories AM, A1, A2 or A whichever is your first
driving licence.
Q5.
If I get a first learner permit and later a driving licence for an ‘AM’ motorcycle after 1 August 2014, and then some months later get a driving licence for an ‘A1’ motorcycle, do I have to wear a tabard while riding the moped, and then have to wear the tabard for a further two years when I get the driving licence for an A1 motorcycle?
Ans:
Yes, within the 2 year period of being granted a driving licence. In this example category ‘AM’, you are required to wear a N-tabard for a period of two years while riding any motorcycle in respect of which you have entitlement on your driving licence. If you continue to have your licence for two years, you are not required to display N plates after that time regardless of the motorcycle or other vehicle you are using.
Q6.
If I get a first learner permit and later a driving licence for an ‘AM’ motorcycle after 1 August 2014, and then some months later get a learner permit for a category A1 motorcycle, what tabards am I required to wear?
Ans:
You are required to wear an N-tabard while riding the category ‘AM’ motorcycle (in respect of which you hold a driving licence), and an L- tabard while riding the category ‘A1’ motorcycle (in respect of which you hold a learner permit).
Q7.
If I get a first learner permit and later a driving licence after 1 August 2014, and the licence is for a motorcycle category, and then get a car (Category ‘B’) on the driving licence, what am I required to display?
Ans:
You are required to wear an N-tabard while riding the motorcycle, and display N-plates on the car while driving it, for two years from start of first driving licence.
Position regarding driving a tractor.

Q1.
If my first learner permit and later my driving licence is in respect of a tractor, am I required to display N-plates?
Ans:
Yes, if the driving licence is granted on or after 1 August 2014, you must display N-plates on the vehicle during the first two years of holding that driving licence entitlement.
Q2.
If my tractor is towing an implement or trailer where should the N-plate be placed?
Ans:
On the rear of the tractor, or if not be clearly visible there in a vertical position on the rear of the implement or trailer.
Position regarding drivers of truck’s or buses Category ‘C’ ‘CE’ or ‘D’.
Q1.
If I get a first learner permit and later a driving licence for a car after 1 August 2014, and then some months later get a learner permit for a rigid truck or minibus licence, what plates am I required to display?
Ans:
You are required to display N plates on the car, and L plates on the rigid truck or minibus.
Q2.
If I get a first learner permit before1 August 2014 and after that date get a driving licence for a car, and then some months later get a learner permit for a rigid truck or minibus licence, what plates am I required to display?
Ans:
When you get your driving licence for a car, you are required to display N plates on it and while you have a learner permit for rigid truck or minibus licence, you must display L plates on these vehicles. If during the first two years of having a driving licence for the car, you get a driving licence for a truck or bus, you are required to display N plates on those vehicles.
Q3.
On or after 1 August 2014, if I get a first learner permit for a car and later a driving licence for a car, and then some months later get a driving licence for a rigid truck or minibus licence, am I only required to display N-plates while driving the car.
Ans:
No, within the 2 year period of being granted a driving licence in any category, if you are granted entitlement on your driving licence to another category or categories, you must display N plates on any vehicle you drive.
You must in this example display N plates on the car and on rigid truck or minibus, until you have held entitlement to drive a car for two years.
Q4.
If I get a first learner permit for a car on 22 August 2014 and get a driving licence on 28 March 2015, and then in September 2015 get a driving licence for a truck, am I required to display the N-plates on the truck for two years from September 2015.
Ans:
No, if you continue to have entitlement to drive a car for two years without a break, you would cease to be required to display N-plates on both the car and truck on 28 March 2017.
Q5.
If I held a driving licence for the car (category ‘B’) before August and get a driving licence for a truck or bus after this date, am I required to display N plates?
Ans:
No, as you held a driving licence prior to August, you are not required to display N-plates.
Q6.
If my truck is towing a semi-trailer where should the N-plate be placed?
Ans:
In a clearly visible vertical position to the front of the truck and to the rear of the container/trailer.
Position regarding drivers in Ireland with EU driving licence or from Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Norway.
Q1.
If I hold a licence from another EU state am I required to display N-plates while driving in Ireland where I am normally resident?
Ans:
No, you are not required to display N-plates if your driving licence is issued by another EU state.
Q2.
If my driving licence was issued by another EU state prior to 1st August 2014, and subsequent to this date I exchange the licence for an Irish licence, will I have to display N-plates?
Ans:
No, you are not required to display N-plates when issued with an Irish driving licence.
Q3.
If my driving licence was issued by another EU state after 1st August 2014, and subsequent to this date I exchange the licence for a Irish driving licence, will I have to display N-plates?
Ans:
Yes, you are required to display N-plates when issued with an Irish
licence until you have held the EU and Irish driving licences for a total
period of two years.
Position regarding drivers in Ireland who exchange their driving licence issued by Australia ,Gibraltar , Guernsey ,Isle of Man ,Japan Jersey , South Africa ,South Korea ,Switzerland ,New Zealand or Taiwan for an Irish licence.
The position at questions 2 and 3 above apply when you exchange your licence from one of these countries for an Irish driving licence.
Position regarding lower threshold of penalty points leading to disqualification which will apply to a person driving under a learner permit or while considered as a novice driver.
Q1.
To which drivers does the lower disqualification threshold of penalty points apply?

Ans:
To any driver who is granted their first learner permit on or after 1 August 2014 while they drive under a learner permit, and subsequently during the first two years while they drive under their first full driving licence.
Q2.
If I have a learner permit before 1 August 2014 will the lower disqualification threshold of penalty points apply to me with effect from that date?
Ans:
No, the existing disqualification threshold of 12 or more penalty points will apply to you. This is regardless of whether you are driving under a learner permit, or as a novice driver during the first 2 years of holding a having a driving licence.
Q3.
I get my first learner permit on or after 1 August 2014. What disqualification threshold of penalty points will apply to me while I hold a learner permit, and what will apply when I get a driving licence?
Ans:
A disqualification will apply in both cases where the number of points equal or exceed 7.
Q4.
I get my first learner permit on or after 1 August 2014. What disqualification threshold of penalty points will apply to me when I pass the driving test and get my driving licence?
Ans:
During the first two years of your driving licence, where the number of points equal or exceed 7 a disqualification will apply. After two years of holding that driving licence, the disqualification threshold is 12 or more penalty points.
Q5.
I hold my driving licence for less than 2 years. Does the lower threshold of penalty points apply to me?
Ans:
If you hold your driving licence before 1st August 2014, the threshold of 12 or more penalty points applies to you.
If your first full driving licence is granted on or after 1st August 2014, and you held a learner permit before 1st August 2014, the threshold of 12 or more penalty points applies to you.
The threshold of 7 or more penalty points applies to you if you got your first learner permit on or after 1st August 2014. This applies while you hold a learner permit and until you hold your first driving licence for two years.
Q6.
I had a learner permit for a motorcycle before 1 August 2014 and I get a learner permit for a car on or after 1st August 2014, what disqualification threshold of penalty points will apply to me?
Ans:
The threshold of 12 or more points will apply where you held a learner permit in any category before 1st August 2014. This is regardless of the vehicle category covered by the learner permit.
Q7.
I had a learner permit for a tractor before 1 August 2014 and I get a learner permit for a car on or after 1st August 2014, what
disqualification threshold of penalty points will apply to me?
Ans:
A person who held a learner permit before 1 August 2014 continues to be subject to the threshold of 12 or more points on or after 1st August 2014 regardless of whatever learner permit or driving licence which they then have.
Q8.
I hold a driving licence for the car before 1 August 2014 and after this date obtain a learner permit for a bus. Does the lower threshold of penalty points apply to me?
Ans:
No, the threshold of 12 or more points will apply where you held a learner permit or driving licence in any category before 1st August 2014, even where you get a learner permit in a different category.
Q9.
If I get a first learner permit for a car on 22 August 2014, and then in 22
March 2015 get a driving licence for a car, and on 15 May 2015 get a learner permit for a truck, will the lower threshold of penalty points apply to me after 21 March 2017 at which time when I will have had a driving licence for two years?
Ans:
No once you have been a novice driver and have had a driving licence in any category for two years, you are no-longer considered as a novice even though you may still have a learner permit in another category, so the threshold of 12 or more penalty points would apply to you.
Q10.
If I get a first learner permit for a car on 22 August 2014, and then in 22
March 2015 get a driving licence for a car, and on 15 September 2015 get a learner permit for a minibus, will the lower threshold of penalty points continue to apply to me from 22 March 2017 at which time when I will have had a driving licence for two years?
Ans:
No once you have been a novice driver and have had a driving licence in any category for two years, you are no-longer subject to the lower threshold of penalty points, so the threshold of 12 or more penalty points would apply to you from 22 March 2017.
Q11. If I held a learner permit on or after 1 August 2009 and the permit has expired, if I renew the permit within 5 years of expiry, what threshold of penalty points will apply to me.
Ans: The threshold of 12 or more penalty points applies to you if you got your first learner permit on or after 1st August 2014. This applies while you hold a learner permit and until you hold your first driving licence for two years.
Q12. If I held a learner permit on or after 1 August 2009 and the permit has expired, if I renew the permit after 5 years of expiry, what threshold of penalty points will apply to me.
Ans: The threshold of 7 or more penalty points applies to you if you got your first learner permit on or after 1st August 2014. This applies while you hold a learner permit and until you hold your first driving licence for two years.