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Driving Test | UK Driving Test Advice
Driving Newsletter - Tips and Advice on Passing your Driving Test
19 Jul 2011

Watch out, there’s an Irish learner driver about!

Motorists in Ireland are being warned to watch out for learner drivers this summer, many of whom will take advantage of the good weather (and school holidays) to get some driving practice in.

Despite the Road Safety Authority (RSA) issuing warnings for Ireland, the UK has yet to receive a similar caution from the DSA. Whether this is due to a misguided belief in British common sense, or simply a mix-up in paperwork, has yet to be determined.

Nevertheless, British drivers should take the RSA’s suggestions to heart. Summer is a notoriously bad time for drivers of all abilities, with everyone hoping to escape for a few days at some point during the months of June-September.

Increased traffic on the roads leads to longer queues, and naturally patience wears thin. Learner drivers, it must be admitted, do not improve matters, as they are generally slower at reacting, seizing opportunities, and driving at the speed limit than qualified drivers.

The RSA is concerned, though, that fraying tempers from drivers will lead to rash decisions being made with regard to learner drivers; notably, overtaking in risky or dangerous situations, and putting undue pressure on learners (which, if you can remember far back enough to your own learning days, invariably makes you more flustered).

If you encounter a learner driver, remember how you felt to be in their position. Whilst it’s annoying that they’re impeding your journey, we want these people to grow up to be responsible, safe, skilful drivers, and they can’t do that by only learning on quiet back roads on Sundays.

Give learners the room they need to manoeuvre, don’t use your horn to make them hurry up, and only overtake if you’re sure your path is clear.

The RSA also wanted to remind learners in Ireland (though these rules apply to UK learners too!) to make sure they displayed their L plates clearly at the front and back of the car and had a qualified driver with them at all times. More information about learning to drive in the UK is available by visiting our driving tests home page.