P plates

renegadefm

How long do you need to display P plates after someone passes their car test? Is it a legal requirement to display them at all,  or a drivers choice? 
And do you need to display at the front and back? 

facade

Purely discretionary, display them for as long as you like, or not at all.

https://www.gov.uk/driving-lessons-learning-to-drive/using-l-and-p-plates

renegadefm

@facade
Thanks for that.
But that is odd because someone I know kept their P plates on for over 2 years after passing their test because she found drivers were more courteous towards her, but was told abusing them for that reason could get her in trouble.
But as you rightly pointed out this was nonsense. 
I also heard some insurance companies insist you keep them on for the first year to keep premiums down. This now seems to be nonsense. 
Thanks again. 

Dr_Crypto

I never used them but I only drove my parents’ cars for a while after passing my test! 

facade

If your insurer wants you to display them and in return will lower the premium, then if you accept the lower premium, you must display them

You are only legally required to display L plates (or D if you want and are in Wales) in mainland Britain whilst the vehicle is being driven by a learner- with a possible 6 point penalty if you don't. In N.I. you do have to display an R plate for 12 months after passing, and any vehicle with R plates is restricted to 45mph.

(I wonder what happens if a D plated learner crosses the border to England )

renegadefm

facade said:

(I wonder what happens if a D plated learner crosses the border to England )

Yeah or visa versa, a P plate driver crosses the border to Wales?
Seems to be a grey area for so many drivers who don't seek professional advice and knowledge. 
What has interested me is if displaying P plates makes other drivers more courteous towards new drivers,  surely this is abusing displaying them. 
I mean your bound to get drivers of a nervous nature or lacks convidence to keep P plates on forever,  but surely if they are that bad they shouldn't be driving.  Surely there needs to be clearer use of P plates, or abolish the use of them altogether. When I passed in 1986 P plates didnt exist. You passed so get on with it. 
But I will say one thing that my driving instructor told me when I passed and excitedly ripped off my L plates, he quickly burst any male ego I had by saying to me its only from now on you will learn driving. And those words were so true. We might pass our test but experience and skill comes from years of driving, not a few months of lessons and a pass certificate. 

renegadefm

Dr_Crypto said:

I never used them but I only drove my parents’ cars for a while after passing my test! 

Did you not buy your own car? 

Ant555

As already discussed, there is no requirement to use them at all.
When my kids passed their driving test, they both asked about P plates but I was of the opinion that any of these crash for cash scammers might see it as an easy target - could be over thinking that but that was the train of thought at the time and we just got a dashcam instead.

suki1964

As said above, us here in NI have to use R plates for a year and our speeds are restricted to 45mph and I personally feel that it is a good idea. I passed my test here at a ripe old age and I remember saying I was going to keep them on forever as other drivers do show you more consideration - keeping back and not tailgating. It also gave me the confidence to get out and drive and explore and find my way around by car.

Mind it wasn't long before I was wishing the year was up

almillar

suki1964 said:

As said above, us here in NI have to use R plates for a year and our speeds are restricted to 45mph and I personally feel that it is a good idea. I passed my test here at a ripe old age and I remember saying I was going to keep them on forever as other drivers do show you more consideration - keeping back and not tailgating. It also gave me the confidence to get out and drive and explore and find my way around by car.

I agree the R plates are a good idea - L and R platers are the only people I think have an excuse for bad driving! I don't like the speed limit though, on motorways. Try to merge onto a busy one at 45, whilst everyone else is doing 70, and you'll see what I mean. The Highway Code says you should match the speed of the traffic, find a gap, and merge. If you're on R plates, stuck at 45, you go against the Highway Code!

lostelephant

I displayed mine for just over 1 mile until the flimsy magnet came loose and sent the front one flying behind me. Never bothered again, it's personal preference.