New regulations approved in Stormont for new drivers

[NI_Volvo_Nut]

Don't see any threads about this, so here it is, approved in Stormont last night...

Planned changes to driver/rider training and testing | nidirect

 

[stevieturbo]

Why does it still say proposed changes ?

Last comment is a bit random

you will have to take a remedial course if, as a new driver, you are at risk of having your licence revoked because you have accumulated six or more penalty points

R to N plates seem a bit stupid, as does 2 years.

Unless someone in government bought the rights to "N" plates and is looking a few quid selling them

 

[NI_Volvo_Nut]

Only link I could find about it, looking for a news link

 

[jimcupra]

Driving on motorways is a great idea as a learner. First time I drove on a motorway I had passed my test 2 days. I near shat myself, 45mph with everything overtaking me. I was an accident waiting to happen. After that I just took the r plates down before going on a motorway.

 

[Rocko]

Me too. Ridiculous you can't be on one as a learner.

 

[big_pete]

Lol at your quote name @stevieturbo

 

[Andy55]

Bit more on it here

The Northern Ireland Assembly

 

[Phil_EK9]

Overall it isn't a bad idea. I still don't agree with barring under 21's from being passengers, a tool is going to be a tool eventually, whether people are egging them on or not.

 

[Ben]

• you will be able to get a provisional licence at age 16 and a half
• you will need to have a provisional licence for at least a year before you can sit your first practical test
• you will not be able to get a full licence before you are 17 and a half

Does this mean you won't be allowed a provisional for a moped/tractor until you're 16.5?
What is the meaning behind not allowing people to be tested before 17.5? Being a safe/good driver is about skill and perception, age shouldn't be such a major factor.

For example;
Scenario 1: Someone who gets their provisional at 16. Lives in the city and doesn't need a car until they leave school at 18. Does a couple of lessons, flukes the test and is now on the road with very little experience.

Scenario 2: Person applies for provisional at 16.5, aces their theory at 17 and does weekly lessons for 3 months. Does multiple mock practical tests and consistently aces them. Needs a car for a new job they have landed but isn't allowed to take the full test for another 3 months.

Stupid system. Not trying to brag at all but at 17 and 1 week old I was a better driver than nearly all of the other people in my school year at the time. There were people who had been driving for over a year and after one trip in the car with them I would never get in the car with them again (and I can be a hallion myself).

Just make it so the test accurately represents real life driving and situations, rather than try to make it less accessible.

 

[Cooper]

These are fairly fundamental changes and about time too. A shame they didn't dump the R-plate completely.

I've created this in an article - many thanks to @JCLC Assembly Proposal to drop R-Plate 45mph Speed Limit - RMS

 

[Dave..]

I think it would be better if they changed the min driving age to 40

 

[Boydie]

Dumping the R plate or increasing the speed to 50 or 60 on a motorway would be ideal for them

 

[jimcupra]

60 on a motorway so they are quicker than a lorry.

Dumping the R plate or increasing the speed to 50 or 60 on a motorway would be ideal for them

 

[veedubnoodle]

Is there anything in this amendment about lessons on a skid pan or classes on what actually happens in an RTC?

Teaching people how to prevent things going wrong in a car and how to react if they do go wrong would surely be better than telling them you can't pass until you are 17 and a half. Car control needs to be taught over here.

Also showing young adults how a car accident can affect their life and the lives of people around them would surely make some of them wise up.

 

[veedubnoodle]

Oh and how about teaching first time drivers how to drive in adverse conditions such as snow and ice? I doubt many people understand that using gears to slow you down on ice is far more effective than standing on the brakes.

 

[RevT]

The rules about who you can carry are a joke to be honest. It'll not be enforced, well not in an area where police have better things to be at. Allowing up to normal speed limits is brilliant but I think the 'N' plates for one year is long enough.

 

[Phil_EK9]

I don't see the point of N plates at all tbh. You're as likely, to make a stupid move in your 40's as you are in your first week of driving.
It made sense with R plates due to the speed difference but I see no purpose now.

 

[Eager]

No more r platers doing runs to and from bars then and picking up easy woman at kicking out time

Disaster that.

 

[Crow555]

Oh and how about teaching first time drivers how to drive in adverse conditions such as snow and ice? I doubt many people understand that using gears to slow you down on ice is far more effective than standing on the brakes.

It constantly amazes me watching people trying to drive in snow. Where I live, we get a lot of snow and we don't get gritters or ploughs near us. (It's a development) Anytime it's like that, you'd see someone making a run up the street, wheels spinning and then they get stuck, still spinning the wheels. Morons.

 

[veedubnoodle]

@Crow555 I live on a hill and anytime it snows I love standing watching everyone try to get up our hill past the house. It's hilarious because there is a speedbump just up from our driveway and as soon as the morons spinning their wheels hit it they come to a stop, wheels still spinning, and then slide backward back down the hill! Lol!

I love when they have just about gave up and got out of my way and I'll calmly reverse out of the driveway and then up the hill and away just using the clutch, no throttle at all. Their expressions are priceless!

 

[Crow555]

I probably should point out that our street is largely flat. As you say, slow, steady, measured controls are how you deal with snow.

 

[veedubnoodle]

Exactly, but 90% of drivers out there don't know this and the reason is a lack of decent driving education.

I'll not lie, after I passed my test I wasn't very confident and wasn't much good at actual driving. My Dad taught me how to drive properly. Taught me about coming down through the gears when braking (was never taught this by my instructor), taught me all about countersteering, left foot braking, heal-toeing and how to drive in bad conditions.

Never told me how to do a handbrake turn though, I had figure that out by myself!

 

[Crow555]

I'd love to learn about heal-toe. Just worried I'd wreck the clutch or gearbox trying it.

Totally agree though, the test as it was, was completely inadequate for the majority of daily driving. When I passed, I knew how to move the car, but that's really when I started learning. I actually wrote to MLAs a few years back recommending that the driving test be changed to something similar to what is listed above. I'm not certain they took any heed though.

 

[Coog]

I probably should point out that our street is largely flat. As you say, slow, steady, measured controls are how you deal with snow.

My approach has always been to engage rev limiter and release clutch. Its all about the wheel speed, sawing at the steering wheel and wildly stamping and pulling on levers and pedals.

 

[Crow555]

Is this your car?