A Tipperary driver was caught out on Monday morning for breaking several rules of the road as his car was seized on the spot.
Cahir gardai were on patrol when they pulled the vehicle over early on Monday only to discover the tax and insurance were 775 days out of date.
Aside from this, officers quickly discovered the motorist was also an unaccompanied learner with no L-plates displayed.
The car is now in police possession and proceedings will follow for the person responsible.
Officers on Twitter confirmed the seizure and explained: “Cahir gardai intercepted this car this morning.
“Using the #MobilityApp, it was found that the car had no insurance, no tax for 775 days and the diver was an unaccompanied Learner driver with no L-Plates.
“The car was seized. Proceedings to follow.”
In Ireland, under the Graduated Driver Licensing system, a learner permit holder must be accompanied at all times by someone who has held a full driving licence in the same category for a minimum of two years.
If you are found driving unaccompanied or you allow your vehicle to be driven 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 which can be applied to unaccompanied learner drivers:
- up to four penalty points
- a fine up to €120.
Aside from this, driving without insurance and tax can result in a fixed charge of €60 (rising to €90 after 28 days).
If you drive while uninsured, you could be fined up to €5000 and get 5 penalty points, but depending on the individual situation, you could also go to prison for up to 6 months.
