Gardai seized a car off a learner driver after noticing them at a checkpoint - with a later check discovering they had no L-plates being displayed and that they were alone.
The rules in Ireland for learner drivers are quite clear.
According to the Road Safety Authority, learner drivers must:
- Always have someone with a full driving licence in the car with you when you are driving on a learner permit. This person must have had their driving licence for at least 2 years. If the Gardaí stop you, and you are not accompanied by a qualified driver, they can detain the car.
- Display L-plates to the front and rear of the vehicle at all times while driving. The plate should be a red ‘L’ on a white background and should not be less than 15cm high with a border of at least 2cm.
This came to a head in Kildare for one driver.
A spokesperson for the Gardaí said: "Naas Roads Policing Unit were conducting a checkpoint when they stopped this driver. Using the Garda Mobility App, it was found that they were an unaccompanied learner driver with no L-Plates. The car was seized & a Fixed Charge Penalty Notice was issued."
Elsewhere, Gardai are advising people to be wary of rental scams, particularly at this time of year when students are returning to college.
There were a total of 503 cases of rental scams reported to the gardai between February 1, 2019 and May 31, 2021.
Due to the pandemic, these incidents have been declining in the last 18 months, but they're still quite popular and gardai have highlighted that the new generation of third-level students seeking accommodation could be a target for fraudsters.
