The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána are reminding learner and novice drivers that if they receive 7 penalty points in a 3-year period they face disqualification from driving for 6 months.
This is compared to fully licenced drivers who are subject to a threshold of 12 points in 3 years before they face a six-month disqualification.
Learner and novice drivers must display ‘L’ and ‘N’ plates at all times. Failure to do so will result in 2 penalty points and a €60 fine.
Learner drivers detected driving unaccompanied not only face 2 penalty points and an €80 fine the vehicle can also be seized.
If the driver is not the owner, the car is liable to be seized, and the owner is also subject to a fine of up to €1000.
A total of 6,460 penalty points notices were issued to learner and novice drivers in 2021 relating to the non-display of ‘L’ and ‘N’ plates and for driving unaccompanied.
The most common penalty point offence for learners is driving unaccompanied.
4,047 notices were issued to learner drivers for this offence.
This is followed by non-display of ‘L’ plates by drivers and motorcyclists (1,827).
Meanwhile, 586 penalty point notice were issued to novice drivers and motorcycle riders for non-display of an ‘N’ plate so far this year.
