P Plates or not to P Plate

spiro

Outpost wrote: »

I personally feel that seven months on from passing your test is pretty excessive to still be driving around with P plates stuck to your car. I'd honestly just throw the things in the bin and just drive as you wish without feeling the need to 'warn' other road users of your lack of confidence.

The French think it is necessary as they have made the equivalent compulsory for the 1st 12 months after passing the test. I think they should introduce it across europe and use N rather than P as the word for new in most european languages starts with N.

wba31

hmmm... evil p plates. When i passed i never put p plates on as the Jack Dee thing came to mind, the P plate means "I've passed my test, but I'm not a very good driver..." 7 years on im still not a very good driver but I've never had p plates. I dont personally see the point of them, they dont do anything for your driving, they just infuriate the t*ssers on the road. they wont respect your space or anything if you have a P on your car or a POLICE on the bonnet.

victor2

Some people will see P plates as someone to target, but a majority of drivers (certainly the ones I know) will just give cars bearing them that little extra consideration, remembering back to the days when they were a new driver. By passing the driving test, you have done just that; been trained to pass the test, which does include many of the skills you need to drive and survive. Once you've passed your test, you start to learn to drive, it's considerate letting other drivers know that's where you're at.

LandyAndy

Outpost wrote: »

I personally feel that seven months on from passing your test is pretty excessive to still be driving around with P plates stuck to your car. I'd honestly just throw the things in the bin and just drive as you wish without feeling the need to 'warn' other road users of your lack of confidence.

You're just as qualified as them to be driving, I think you should remember that and not feel that it's necessary to essentially apologise to others by displaying these plates simply because you wish to drive more slowly than them.

I agree with this.

Throw them away.

pinkteapot

Although there's nothing to say I have to do it, if someone is right on my bumper I pull over when safe (layby/side road) and let them past. Even if I'm doing the speed limit. I'd rather pause for a few seconds and let them get past than have them driving aggressively right behind me.

I do get irritated following cars doing 30-40 in 60 limits who don't pull over for me. But I don't drive too close - no point risking piling into the back of them for the sake of a bit of irritation.

Edit: Just one thought - if you didn't know the route you were doing, is there any chance that it changed from a 40 to a 60/national limit and you didn't notice the sign?

LandyAndy

pinkteapot wrote: »

Although there's nothing to say I have to do it, if someone is right on my bumper I pull over when safe (layby/side road) and let them past. Even if I'm doing the speed limit. I'd rather pause for a few seconds and let them get past than have them driving aggressively right behind me.

I do get irritated following cars doing 30-40 in 60 limits who don't pull over for me. But I don't drive too close - no point risking piling into the back of them for the sake of a bit of irritation.

Edit: Just one thought - if you didn't know the route you were doing, is there any chance that it changed from a 40 to a 60/national limit and you didn't notice the sign?

If I'm doing the speed limit and someone charges up behind me I just carry on. Of course if I come up behind someone who is doing the speed limit when I'm in a hurry that's a different matter.........:cool:.

Remember: 'Anyone who drives slower than you is an idiot. Anyone who drives faster than you is a maniac.':)

rev_henry

davemorton wrote: »

P plates, who's bright idea were they??
If you have passed, you have passed, and should have the knowledge/confidence to drive on the road (or you would not have passed, no?)
I remember hearing last year about a 6th form near me that recommended all students take the p plates off their cars as they had a rather high number of students have people slamming the brakes on in front of them. They are just a target for insurance fraudsters.
Ditch them.

Oh that's charming that is. Not only do they make a fraudulent insurance claim they make sure the poor young lads are totally uninsureable for the next 5 years with a 'fault' accident on their record.

ahrimaniac

I sympathise. I'm currently learning to drive and actually think I'm beetling about quite well, but in my last lesson this absolute nobhead was RIGHT up behind me effing and jeffing in my mirror because I was doing 35 on a 40 road. I've only had three bloody lessons! As he overtook he beeped and stuck his fingers up.

Big man. Big man in a CHEAP CAR.

rodenal

I never used them after i passed (around 9 years ago now) but I was a bit cocky and thought I was a much better driver than I was anyway.

If I see a driver with P plates on I find myself being far more tolerant of them doing silly things and generally watch them a bit more than I would otherwise - can only be a good thing imo, though I can see the potential insurance fraudsters looking for them too.

The guy behind you on the occasion described just sounds like an idiot - there are plenty of them on the road and the best way to deal with them is just to ignore the !!!!!!s and drive like a normal human being.

System

Windsor70 wrote: »

Hi

I am a newish driver, I passed my test about 7 months ago. I wear my P Plates when I am doing a route that I am not overly familiar with.

You either use P plates all the time or not at all. !!!!!! is the idea of putting them on when on an unfamiliar road and not bothering at other times?

They are to indicate to other road users that you are a new driver and not that you are unfamiliar with a road!

You either need them (want them as a crutch to use as an excuse for FUBARs) or you don't!