Newly released figures have shown that a whopping 5,929 learner drivers were handed penalty points and fines last year after being caught driving unaccompanied.
This marks a slight increase compared to the year prior when 5,774 learners were caught for the risky rule break.
In Ireland, it is against the law to drive unaccompanied on a learner permit. Under the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system in Ireland, a learner permit holder must always be accompanied by someone who has held a full, valid driving licence in the same category for a minimum of two years.
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If you are caught driving unaccompanied or you allow your vehicle to be used by an unaccompanied learner driver, the following penalties apply:
- If you are an unaccompanied learner driver and the vehicle owner, you are liable to have your vehicle impounded
- If you are an unaccompanied learner driver but not the vehicle owner, the owner faces their vehicle being impounded and being fined up to €1,000
This is in addition to the penalty points and fines that can be applied to unaccompanied learner drivers:
- up to four penalty points
- a fine of up to €120
Issuing a stern warning to anyone who continues to drive unaccompanied on a learner permit, Brian Farrell of the Road Safety Authority said it could also lead to a driver being taken off the road.
Mr. Farrell explained to Newstalk: “Normal or ordinary drivers if they accumulate 12 penalty points in a three-year period, they face a six-month disqualification.
“But for learner drivers in the context of unaccompanied driving, they face being off the road for six months if they accumulate seven points in a three-month period.
“So, they are playing high stakes poker if they are getting behind the wheel of a car unaccompanied and driving on their own.”
The figures also show that in 2022, the majority of sanctions issued to unaccompanied learners were issued in Dublin. Cork followed behind in second with Kildare and Wexford in third and fourth respectively.
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