'L' Plate Tabard

underwaterdog

Do any learner permit holders actually wear the mandatory L plate tabard?

I've worn mine on every ride since I got my learner permit in September last year. I have never seen another rider wearing one in the Wicklow area, other than a standard high vis vest or belt.

I'm also starting to feel as though the L plate is a big TARGET on my back (and front!) for other road users.

What are your thought or experiences?

miller50841

Hi you probably are right it's all down to inforcement & that is something that is lacking in Ireland.

It's the same story for learner permit holders driving car's without L plates & without a full licence holder with them.

Keep doing what your doing because it could be you that is made example of and the answer to the Guard that everyone does it won't cut.

Happy Biking & put in for your test as soon as you feel ready I put mine off for years and bit the bullet & flew through.

Wonda-Boy

Never ever wore the actual "L" plate but always wear the high vis vest, well that is until I got my leathers. If I was riding at night or in a dark environment I still do and I always carry one in my tank bag etc.

The L means fook all TBH its the vest you need on. Just my 2cents.

Peanut2011

Never had one nor ever wore one. Never seen anyone out there wearing one either and I commute daily.

Yes its the law but I'm hoping to just get away with it.

blu3r0ri0n

Make sure its dirty and looks like it was actually used, throw it on the ground and rub the dirt in. Keep it under your seat, if you ever get stopped say you forgot and put it on.

Del2005

underwaterdog wrote: »

Do any learner permit holders actually wear the mandatory L plate tabard?

I've worn mine on every ride since I got my learner permit in September last year. I have never seen another rider wearing one in the Wicklow area, other than a standard high vis vest or belt.

I'm also starting to feel as though the L plate is a big TARGET on my back (and front!) for other road users.

What are your thought or experiences?

Apply for your test ASAP and then you don't have to worry about wearing the target, make sure you put down unavailable till the 6 months are up.

Steve.N

Passed a guy lastweek in the Kilcock area on a GS500 wearing his vest - fair play to him!
My wife is out a lot on her bike to get ready for her test next month, she never forgets her vest - I wouldn't let her out without it anyway!
The law is to wear the vest so get it on! Do your time as a learner, pass your test then take it off - simples!!!

minidazzler

Steve.N wrote: »

The law is to wear the vest so get it on! Do your time as a learner, pass your test then take it off - simples!!!

The law is ass and cnuts in German cars seem to hate that L. When I wore it, I constantly had cars up my hole and overtaking me in very very dangerous situations. I always wear Hi-Vis, and it rarely happens now.

L plates on a bike make you look young so ignorant pieces of sh1t think they can bully you off the road, no L plate means they know fook all about you. I'd likely accidentally break someones mirror if they were to play the same sh1t they did when I first started and I came up on them at lights.

So, in short, I never wear the L plate, I always wear the Hi-Vis, gonna get a better Hi-Vis soon though, the one I have is a pretty ugly orange colour.

monuworks

I completed my IBT in October last year and I wear the L Tabard always when I' m out on the bike.

I have no Hesitation wearing it, not only because it's the law but if you are stopped or god forbid have an accident, at least you are covered when you have this on.

Some people are embarassed to wear these type of things, but when you think of it, no one knows who you are under the helmet anyway.

Keep doing what your doing and Like you I also have idiots stuck up my arse, just take your time, it's your life at the end of the day.

(Do your own thing, don't be a puppet on a string!!);)

minidazzler

monuworks wrote: »

I completed my IBT in October last year and I wear the L Tabard always when I' m out on the bike.

I have no Hesitation wearing it, not only because it's the law but if you are stopped or god forbid have an accident, at least you are covered when you have this on.

Insurance wise, you may be flouting a law, but 1, you're still covered and 2, if they were trying to claim the money back off you and you're still wearing a Hi-Vis, they'd have to prove the L Plate makes you safer.

Please Kill Me

minidazzler wrote: »

The law is ass and cnuts in German cars seem to hate that L. When I wore it, I constantly had cars up my hole and overtaking me in very very dangerous situations. I always wear Hi-Vis, and it rarely happens now.

L plates on a bike make you look young so ignorant pieces of sh1t think they can bully you off the road, no L plate means they know fook all about you. I'd likely accidentally break someones mirror if they were to play the same sh1t they did when I first started and I came up on them at lights.

So, in short, I never wear the L plate, I always wear the Hi-Vis, gonna get a better Hi-Vis soon though, the one I have is a pretty ugly orange colour.

Agree completely!! When I was teaching herself and going out for spins with her, every arsehole in a Merc and Audi were RIGHT up behind her, scaring the life out of her. So I started riding behind her to watch her lines, and at the same time keeping dicks back away from her. I told her to stop wearing the "L" tabard, and hey presto, it stopped. It really is like a target for knob-ends!

Ayrtonf7

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

Never ever wore the actual "L" plate but always wear the high vis vest, well that is until I got my leathers. If I was riding at night or in a dark environment I still do and I always carry one in my tank bag etc.

The L means fook all TBH its the vest you need on. Just my 2cents.

Agree with you so much.

Its the law to wear the L (and i still do) but its all about the highvis at the end of the day.

RobertM

Wore the vest once when I started a couple of months back, felt like I had a target on my back instead of the L. So I took it off, now I'm still riding at my own pace, not filtering, building my confidence and it seems that the other road users don't care.

Please Kill Me

RobertM wrote: »

...it seems that the other road users don't care.

They don't. You're a biker, they tend to ignore you.

underwaterdog

Del2005 wrote: »

Apply for your test ASAP and then you don't have to worry about wearing the target, make sure you put down unavailable till the 6 months are up.

Thanks for that. My first six months are up but still hadn't thought to apply for the test yet...

Anyone know what the test waiting times are like in Wicklow?

On a related note, do/did you all as learner permit holders avoid using motorways? I have to take an alternate N route to get to work.

nerrad1983

Im on a learner permit and if i have to use a motorway i will

Personally i dont like them as there boring etc

Much more fun to be had on twisty national roads

Please Kill Me

underwaterdog wrote: »

On a related note, do/did you all as learner permit holders avoid using motorways? I have to take an alternate N route to get to work.

Horses for courses and all that, but I used the motorways, rode up to Northern Ireland...didn't let a provisional licence stop me doing what i wanted to. I know there's plenty who wouldn't do it or advise against it, but do whatever you feel comfortable doing.

Del2005

Please Kill Me wrote: »

Horses for courses and all that, but I used the motorways, rode up to Northern Ireland...didn't let a provisional licence stop me doing what i wanted to. I know there's plenty who wouldn't do it or advise against it, but do whatever you feel comfortable doing.

Whatever about using Motorways* don't go up North on a Learners Permit. They are only legal in the South and the PSNI, actually all other Police forces, don't like people driving without a licence. At a minimum you'll have the bike taken off you and if you can't provide a NI address a night in the cells if your caught too late to get to court.

* Why would you want to use a boring motorway on a bike? Bends and passing cages stuck in lines of traffic is what bikes are for:D

Steve.N

Not sure if your insurance would cover you on a motorway if you're a learner?

Had the other half out yesterday for a 5hr spin down to Wexford, I'm encouraging her to play it all by the book till she's through her test so she had her vest on. The odd w***er gave her not an inch but she's quite a confident rider so it didn't faze her.
It's 2 penalty points in the UK for not displaying L plates - they should do the same here! Bin the Ls on the vest but still make a hi-vis vest compulsory together with L plates on the bike!
You're learner for a reason!!

minidazzler

Steve.N wrote: »

Not sure if your insurance would cover you on a motorway if you're a learner?

Had the other half out yesterday for a 5hr spin down to Wexford, I'm encouraging her to play it all by the book till she's through her test so she had her vest on. The odd w***er gave her not an inch but she's quite a confident rider so it didn't faze her.
It's 2 penalty points in the UK for not displaying L plates - they should do the same here! Bin the Ls on the vest but still make a hi-vis vest compulsory together with L plates on the bike!
You're learner for a reason!!

What benefit does the L have? It's supposed to exist to encourage other road users to have patience with the Learner, this is NOT the case though, there seems to be less patience. For that reason, I'll not wear it, if stopped by a Garda I'll even say that, I always wear Hi-Vis, but the L plate has had people targetting me.

I've found 3 Series Beamers, usually pre-2007 to be the worst for it. Bastards don't give a millimeter.

Steve.N

A gard or a faceless insurance company won't listen to reason they'll just quote the law.
Bikes are targets anyway whether wearing L plates or not, just a part of biking. I'm riding 24yrs and it has never changed!!

The Don

I wore my L jacket all the time.

A few cars used to come up right behind me too. But it didn't matter when I filtered past them in the traffic!

I think the best way of dealing with them is let them past and then at the next set of lights just pull up beside them, stare in the window and don't say a word. It unnerves most of them . Especially with a tinted visor on

szatan84

I wore my vest until i noticed it makes me a target. I swear people are less understanding/take more chances with ur life if u have one on. Wearing one is as smart as waving a red flag in front of a bull.

designbydan

I've been wearing mine since December last year when I started Biking and I've noticed that YES people do try to overtake me more and it does seem like a target on my back.

I had a pillion on the other day (yes I know I'm not supposed to but... anyway)
So I took the L Hi Vis off while I had the passenger, and people kept their distance. . I couldn't believe the difference it made to have it off, I'm only on a 125 marauder so can't go much faster than 55mph but people still stayed behind me on country on backroads where before they would've tried to dangerously overtake me.

I still wear it when on my own, just in case I get stopped. And I plan on getting two regular HI Vis's for when I (illegally I know) carry a pillion.

Del2005

Steve.N wrote: »

Not sure if your insurance would cover you on a motorway if you're a learner?

You've 3rd party cover no matter what. There's a slim chance that the insurance company will sue you to recovery costs but it's never happened that I know of.

Steve.N wrote: »

It's 2 penalty points in the UK for not displaying L plates - they should do the same here! Bin the Ls on the vest but still make a hi-vis vest compulsory together with L plates on the bike!
You're learner for a reason!!

What ever about the L tabard I think the UK systems of L plates on the bike is the shocking. Bikes don't have big enough surfaces to attach a legal L Plate to, especially at the back.

underwaterdog

My girlfriend only pointed out to me yesterday, having followed me home that with the lock box on the back the L plate on my back can't be seen by following traffic anyway.

Suppose it would eventually be seen though.

Odysseus

underwaterdog wrote: »

Thanks for that. My first six months are up but still hadn't thought to apply for the test yet...

Anyone know what the test waiting times are like in Wicklow?

On a related note, do/did you all as learner permit holders avoid using motorways? I have to take an alternate N route to get to work.

I don't know what the waiting times are like; but, if you feel you are ready for it, try to get a letter from work if you are working.

All you need is a leetr on headed paper stating that you need a full licence for your job, and they will give you a cancelation.

I did it myself years back, but we do it in work for staff regular enough.

But you would need to feel you are close enough in your bike skills that you would pass, with a few more lessons and a pre-test.

Steve.N

Del2005 wrote: »

You've 3rd party cover no matter what. There's a slim chance that the insurance company will sue you to recovery costs but it's never happened that I know of.



What ever about the L tabard I think the UK systems of L plates on the bike is the shocking. Bikes don't have big enough surfaces to attach a legal L Plate to, especially at the back.

I'm not sure if you'd be covered when you're breaking the law by being on the motorway - what makes you think that you'd be covered 3rd party regardless?
Personally I wouldn't take a chance like that only to get some nit picking assurance assessor invalidate a claim when possibly someone else caused the accident.
What do the big signs say at the sliproad - No Learners!!

The Uk system works fine as you purchases special hard L plates to bolt on your number plate and to your forks.

Anyway, I totally agree with learners wearing L plates - moan all you want - show you can ride safely by passing your test then you can remove them! It's not rocket science!!

Please Kill Me

Steve.N wrote: »

- show you can ride safely by passing your test then you can remove them! It's not rocket science!!

Passing the test doesn't show you're a competent rider. It shows you did shit right on the day. I know of at least 4 people who passed their test and really shouldn't be on the road as they're a danger to themselves and others!

Before you get snotty, I passed mine years ago!

minidazzler

Steve.N wrote: »

Anyway, I totally agree with learners wearing L plates - moan all you want - show you can ride safely by passing your test then you can remove them! It's not rocket science!!

What difference does not having an L plate on make to me when I always wear Hi-Vis no matter what? Every ride I've taken I've worn it.

chrismon

What's the points for no l tabard?