Discussion
Hi, I recently passed my test shortly after my 50th birthday - on the first attempt, after taking a few more than 30 lessons from an ADI in the space of a month.
What would people advise regarding 'P' plates?
I've heard the following strong arguments against:
- it's a bad thing to be treated differently from other drivers, because it won't teach you how to deal with everything they deal with (example: if you stall the car, you're going to learn quicker how to stop doing it if people show their impatience with you)
- some drivers think of them as 'Prat' plates and are more likely to cut in front of you if you've got them
and the following argument in favour:
- you're probably not as confident as people who've been driving on full licences for years (indeed you shouldn't be), and it can help with safety if, in the event of something unusual or dangerous happening, other drivers are aware you haven't been driving long
I've discussed this with my ADI. He reckons they're good for some people (e.g. those who need to wean themselves out of driving too slowly, as I do) and not for others (if you're too confident or aggressive a driver, that doesn't mean you know as much as someone who's been doing it for years, and wearing them might be an invitation for argy-bargy - some people will be more irritated if a 'P' plate wearer does something cocky than if another driver does).
I'm conscious of this 'Prat' plate idea.
On the other hand, I've seen some cars that carry not just 'P' plates but big signs (at least sometimes integrated into the plates) saying "NEW DRIVER". I think that's going way over the top - possibly due to mollycoddling parents in some cases.
I've got a long solo drive of about 700 miles on motorways coming up. After my test, I had two hours with my ADI on daytime motorway driving and two hours of night-time driving, including on motorways. But, well, cars on motorways drive at high speed and I've got to admit that getting on to a motorway can be a bit hairy - and of course there is the occasional cocky driver who drives like an idiot.
So my feeling at the moment is that I should use 'P' plates on that long motorway drive (and maybe the return journey), especially where the motorways are busy or it's at night; but that after that, I shouldn't use them any more.
Any opinions and advice?
Tony
What would people advise regarding 'P' plates?
I've heard the following strong arguments against:
- it's a bad thing to be treated differently from other drivers, because it won't teach you how to deal with everything they deal with (example: if you stall the car, you're going to learn quicker how to stop doing it if people show their impatience with you)
- some drivers think of them as 'Prat' plates and are more likely to cut in front of you if you've got them
and the following argument in favour:
- you're probably not as confident as people who've been driving on full licences for years (indeed you shouldn't be), and it can help with safety if, in the event of something unusual or dangerous happening, other drivers are aware you haven't been driving long
I've discussed this with my ADI. He reckons they're good for some people (e.g. those who need to wean themselves out of driving too slowly, as I do) and not for others (if you're too confident or aggressive a driver, that doesn't mean you know as much as someone who's been doing it for years, and wearing them might be an invitation for argy-bargy - some people will be more irritated if a 'P' plate wearer does something cocky than if another driver does).
I'm conscious of this 'Prat' plate idea.
On the other hand, I've seen some cars that carry not just 'P' plates but big signs (at least sometimes integrated into the plates) saying "NEW DRIVER". I think that's going way over the top - possibly due to mollycoddling parents in some cases.
I've got a long solo drive of about 700 miles on motorways coming up. After my test, I had two hours with my ADI on daytime motorway driving and two hours of night-time driving, including on motorways. But, well, cars on motorways drive at high speed and I've got to admit that getting on to a motorway can be a bit hairy - and of course there is the occasional cocky driver who drives like an idiot.
So my feeling at the moment is that I should use 'P' plates on that long motorway drive (and maybe the return journey), especially where the motorways are busy or it's at night; but that after that, I shouldn't use them any more.
Any opinions and advice?
Tony
Edited by anthonyk on Tuesday 16th December 17:44
If you feel like you'd like to ease into driving on the roads and make other people aware you're doing so I'd say stick them on. I'm well aware I'm not exactly representative of the mass driving populace but whenever I see them on a car I think the driver's made a conscious decision to put them on and is thus aware of their limitations, which is to be commended.
the 'risk' with P plates is that you become a target for the 'press ahead must get past , considerably more important than yoow ' powerfully built pick up / A 4 tdi driving 'business development manager' types ...
it;s a decision you have to make ... i never had them - and in the mid 90s the UK was aware of them as the aussie soaps were well established etc - the difference being the Aussie Ps are mandated...
it;s a decision you have to make ... i never had them - and in the mid 90s the UK was aware of them as the aussie soaps were well established etc - the difference being the Aussie Ps are mandated...
mph1977 said:
the 'risk' with P plates is that you become a target for the 'press ahead must get past , considerably more important than yoow ' powerfully built pick up / A 4 tdi driving 'business development manager' types ...
You're a target for them regardless. At least other road users might think them even more cockish if they cut up someone on P plates rather than just a 'regular' driver.luckystrike said:
mph1977 said:
the 'risk' with P plates is that you become a target for the 'press ahead must get past , considerably more important than yoow ' powerfully built pick up / A 4 tdi driving 'business development manager' types ...
You're a target for them regardless. At least other road users might think them even more cockish if they cut up someone on P plates rather than just a 'regular' driver.If having the plates on makes you feel more confident then put them on.
just by asking the question i assume you are fairly nervous behind the wheel and not yet at home. Invest some fuel in practice miles and get get more training to improve your confidence would be my recommendation.
I dont trust anyone so I give the same gaps to L's P's and drivers without plates, there are some terrible drivers out there with no plates on!
just by asking the question i assume you are fairly nervous behind the wheel and not yet at home. Invest some fuel in practice miles and get get more training to improve your confidence would be my recommendation.
I dont trust anyone so I give the same gaps to L's P's and drivers without plates, there are some terrible drivers out there with no plates on!
Back in 1998 my GF insisted on having them on her car and I was (as a teenager) deeply ashamed of that and would never have had them myself. Now I think they're a good idea as a couple of times I've seen someone dithering and cocking about and thought "what the f
k is wrong with this great fool" then seen the P plates, had some understanding that they're just inexperienced rather than incompetent and my faith in driving humanity has been eroded a little bit less than it might otherwise have been.
k is wrong with this great fool" then seen the P plates, had some understanding that they're just inexperienced rather than incompetent and my faith in driving humanity has been eroded a little bit less than it might otherwise have been.I would probably stick them on for 6 months or so, having something to advise others that you are relatively new to driving (particularly as your age would not give them any clue to this) is not a bad things.
There will always be cocks on the road, there isn't anything you can do about that.
There will always be cocks on the road, there isn't anything you can do about that.
My son passed in Feb. He hasn't driven much since so still uses them when he occasionally does drive. If I'm out with him I definitely notice a more tolerant attitude towards him from other drivers. They allow him more time and space. Apart from the odd tt, but you'll always get those.
t, but you'll always get those. I'd say its 50/50, some people will be more patient and considerate while the angry 'my journeys more important than yours' tossers will be even more aggressive than usual using their horns if you miss even the smallest gap onto a busy roundabout. I didn't use 'P' plates myself but experienced the above when driving my car with 'L' plates on while learning.
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