Provisional driving in Ireland

By most standards, Ireland’s system for new drivers has been a bit peculiar. New drivers entering the system got a provisional license, which allowed them to drive with an accompanying licensed driver.  What then made this unusual, and delightfully Irish, was if they took their driving test and failed it, they could apply for, and get, a second provisional license, and happily drive without a fully licensed driver!

Uniquely the learner driver did not have to take a driving test and subsequently fail this to get a new two year provisional licence; they could simply not turn up for the driving test and use the appointment letter to renew their provisional licence. However from the 30th June 2008 provisional licence holders must have a fully qualified driver with them at all times, or face a fine of up to €1000, or imprisonment if they fail to pay this. We know at Bill Plant that after years of driving you can build up bad habits and it’s really difficult to get rid of them without training. As they say it can only happen in Ireland!

Published by admin on July 4th, 2008 in Provisional Licence, Bill Plant, Driving Lessons