L plates - interesting effects

Guybrush · 27 Jun 2006 at 17:38

My girlfriend recently bought a 1.4 clio for me to sit in with her driving so she can get some extra practice in addition to her lessons.

For the last few days I have borrowed the clio and have been using it to drive to work, the shops, doing the things I normally do, going the places I normally go, driving the way I normally drive... but with L plates on.

This is where it gets wierd, especially when I have someone in the passenger seat.

People can't wait to overtake me. I'm doing the same speed (the limit) I always do on the same bits of road, but people HAVE TO overtake me :confused:

Going straight over roundabouts people overtake me by using the right hand lane and flooring it.

People try to go around me when I'm pulling out at junctions if they want to pull out the other way, even though I don't stall or even hint at cocking anything up.

People peer over at me quizzically like I'm from Mars as they pass.

Bizarre.

[TW]Fox · 27 Jun 2006 at 17:39

Guybrush said:
For the last few days I have borrowed the clio and have been using it to drive to work, the shops, doing the things I normally do, going the places I normally go, driving the way I normally drive... but with L plates on.

People peer over at me quizzically like I'm from Mars as they pass.

Bizarre.

Bizarre? You are breaking the law - you are driving around in a car with L plates on when you are not a learner driver. You can only do this if you are a driving instructor and your car is a driving school car. People are probably looking at you wondering what on earth you are doing.

If you don't want a nice big fine and some hassle for the police I suggest you remove them next time you use the car.

Guybrush · 27 Jun 2006 at 17:40

Right so they look at me funny because they somehow psychically know I'm not a learner? When I've got a passenger in the car?

bmh.01 · 27 Jun 2006 at 17:43

The ammount of people I see driving round with L plates on when their on their own and blatently not a learner is stupid, police don't seem to bother with the fact thats its illegal. Always used to take mine off (magnetic) when I wasn't driving my car before I passed.

[TW]Fox · 27 Jun 2006 at 17:44

Guybrush said:
Right so they look at me funny because they somehow psychically know I'm not a learner? When I've got a passenger in the car?

You wont have a passenger in the car all the time.

People give you funny looks becuase you are driving around breaking the law, simply take the L plates off, no more funny looks.

Nozzer · 27 Jun 2006 at 17:44

I'm going to put some L plates on the Lotus and drive about St. Albans now, we'll see if people try and overtake me

Guybrush · 27 Jun 2006 at 17:49

[TW]Fox said:
You wont have a passenger in the car all the time.

People give you funny looks becuase you are driving around breaking the law, simply take the L plates off, no more funny looks.

Yes, I'm sure people are looking at me going "OMGWTF he's got L plates on and he's not a learner!!!!"

How about you just comment on my observations rather than trying to prove how much you know about the rules of the road as usual?

The plates are stuck on, not magnetic and I only have the car for a couple of days. I'm sure in [TW]Fox land I'd be sent down for life-and-ten for such a heinous crime but let's get real.

[TW]Fox · 27 Jun 2006 at 17:51

I have commented on your observations, it is my opinion people are thinking 'Why is that learner driving around on his own'.

It might be right it might be wrong, how else are we supposed to know what people we dont even know are thinking? It's the most sensible reason I can think of, sorry if I touched a nerve

Guybrush · 27 Jun 2006 at 17:55

[TW]Fox said:
I have commented on your observations, it is my opinion people are thinking 'Why is that learner driving around on his own'.

It might be right it might be wrong, how else are we supposed to know what people we dont even know are thinking? It's the most sensible reason I can think of, sorry if I touched a nerve

Very clever. But no, you picked on ONE of my observations. So be it then. Why do they look at me funny when I have a passenger?

no, I don't wear a funny hat when driving.

[TW]Fox · 27 Jun 2006 at 17:56

Maybe they wonder why somebody they perceive is somewhat older than the stereotypical learner is driving around in a car with L plates?

Firestar_3x · 27 Jun 2006 at 17:56

Because we all look at learner drivers like they shouldn't be on the road, consider them a rolling roadblock or challenge

OllyM · 27 Jun 2006 at 17:57

Sorry Fox, but it isn't illegal...

Vehicles. Any vehicle driven by a learner MUST display red L plates. In Wales, either red D plates, red L plates, or both, can be used. Plates MUST conform to legal specifications and MUST be clearly visible to others from in front of the vehicle and from behind. Plates should be removed or covered when not being driven by a learner (except on driving school vehicles).
Law MV(DL)R reg 16 & sched 4

It's just an advisory... they can't prosecute you for doing it.

Nozzer · 27 Jun 2006 at 17:58

[TW]Fox said:
Maybe they wonder why somebody they perceive is somewhat older than the stereotypical learner is driving around in a car with L plates?

I always stare at learners because they're sometimes hot 17 year old girls.

Chris1712 · 27 Jun 2006 at 17:59

Firestar_3x said:
Because we all look at learner drivers like they shouldn't be on the road, consider them a rolling roadblock or challenge

Just like women drivers.

iCraig · 27 Jun 2006 at 18:00

Well if it isn't the L plates you must just drive like a maniac or something.

Fox does have a point, if you're borrowing her car to go to work in, it sounds like you don't have a passenger. Therefore people are looking at you wondering why this apparent learner driver is by all by himself.

Nozzer · 27 Jun 2006 at 18:01

iCraig said:
Fox does have a point, if you're borrowing her car to go to work in, it sounds like you don't have a passenger. Therefore people are looking at you wondering why this apparent learner driver is by all by himself.

Let's face it, if you were a learner driving about illegally, you're not going to put bloody L plates on the car are you?

Engage brain next time.

iCraig · 27 Jun 2006 at 18:01

Nozzer said:
I always stare at learners because they're sometimes hot 17 year old girls.

Echoed. I gave one a casual smile before at the traffic lights, she stalled and then glowed red. I must have like, totally blew her away and stuff. :cool:

cymatty · 27 Jun 2006 at 18:02

Maybe you live in a clio hating town.

Kreeeee · 27 Jun 2006 at 18:03

Chris1712 said:
Just like women drivers.

hear hear.

[TW]Fox · 27 Jun 2006 at 18:03

Nozzer said:
Let's face it, if you were a learner driving about illegally, you're not going to put bloody L plates on the car are you?

Most people don't even think that far. When someone I know decided to go for an uninsured learner trip they didnt remove the plates :rolleyes: