DS just passed driving test but refuse to wear P plates

[GrumpyOldBag]

DS passed his test a few weeks ago & needs to drive 35 mile round trip every day. So, I bought DS some of those green P plates which show you are a new driver.

However, he won't have them on the car, saying it's better if other drivers just treat him like a normal driver rather than differently because he's only just passed his test.

For me, that's the whole point of him having the plates on - just for a couple of months until he gets more experience.

I'm paying for his petrol at the moment, & want to say the P plates are a condition of that.

Which of us is right?

Judging by how other drivers treat me when I'm on my lessons with L plates everywhere I won't be using P plates when I pass. It's just a sign for dickish drivers, of which there are many, to act even more dickish than usual.

What the hell is "the black box"?!

P plates make it more dangerous as other drivers are impatient.

I think they are a good idea for maybe a week or 2 after passing, just while you get used to driving alone.

Around here a lot of people treat learner drivers terribly though. So I assume they would treat 'P' drivers the same.

TBH I think P plates are a big sign saying, 'Please kick my arse'.

My driving instructor advised against them back in the Dark Ages, and my DC have never had them.

I never used P plates when I passed 3 years ago. Where I live P plates make you a "target" for other drivers who can't stand new drivers ect and always overtake you at dangerous times or sit on your bumper even if your driving at speed limit ect. I don't find them entirely necessary for this reason.

I wouldn't use the P plates, as others have said there's a section of drivers that treat learners really dangerously - I was quite shocked when doing driving practice with DS.
What we did was go through the driving dashboard from the bl ack box every month (so you can spot any bad habits creeping in) and do a few trips post test like motorway practice, navigating around a larger city etc. That gave me more confidence, he had quite enough already!

My DD’s never had P plates after they passed their tests. They chucked away the L plates and off they went. I think your DS is right OP.

I just read about thr black box thing. OP did you make him get that? Seems like you are buying onto all these new driver fads and seems controlling too..sorry! If he has his own car you should go on his insurance and it should bring the cost down significantly.

DD passed her test on the 6th January and also refuses to use P plates on the same basis. She says friends of hers have used them and been hassled by other drivers.

She is getting her black box fitted tomorrow but already is really confident driving alone, goes out in the evening and at night and to be honest we've rarely seen her since she got her license.

She is off to uni in a few weeks and will be motorway driving for the first time (dp as passenger) so hopefully that will boost her driving confidence more.

Thanks, I really appreciate the feedback.

I was posting with an open mind, and I see in this case that my DS is right and I am wrong.

As I have agreed to pay his insurance and petrol for the first year (and he is driving my old car) I do think I have some rights to stipulate conditions - but I'm giving way to him on the P plates. I just want the outcome that will keep him and other road users safe.

To the person who said "leave him alone", we've had precisely one discussion about this and then I came on here to look for opinions from other parents of teenagers before making a decision. So that's a bit uncalled for.

Thanks to everyone else for the helpful perspectives.

Having a named driver doesn't really bring the insurance down 'significantly' btw.

Her policy covers 7,000 miles a year, has me as a named driver and she has to have the black box. It still cost £1,600 though!

They are completely pointless. People will either hassle the driver, be more considerate or like me not treat them any differently. You don't know which kind of driver he will encounter at any given time. Let him get on with it.

Whisky2014 the insurance is much cheaper with the black box fitted, even with another parent named on the policy. £1000 as opposed to £1400. DS was keen to get it too, as it means his premium should be lower next year when he funds it himself at Uni.

Where we live (rural area) the highest number of deaths on the road is DS's demographic - men aged between 18 and 22. It will encourage him to keep to the speed limit while he builds up his experience.

Ah ok fair enough!

I passed last Feb and never wore P plate's, drivng my own car with L plates was enough to put me off, i felt safer without them due to other drivers.

If he is sensible and confident then I think go without. I'm in Northern Ireland & r plates are mandatory- restricted to 45mph for first year after. There are a lot of young dickheads with R plates who drive dangerously fast round here. At 35 DH is glad to be rid of his r plates a few weeks ago-he feel a bit silly with them but I think they were good as he's not very confident & easily stressed. Also I think if he's driving in country/town/city it makes a difference to attitudes. In general I found a lot more arrogant twattish drivers in Manchester than small town Northern Ireland. Either way his competence and confidence is key

I'd suggest you pay for a motorway driving lesson.

My instructor told me not to bother with P plates.

P plates are a magnet for arseholes, IMO. I wouldn't use them either.

"I think paying for a pass plus day would be more beneficial"

this

and im in my 40's and my insurance is 1100 on a 1.6 car, i wouldn't use the black box, heard of people racking up driving fault's and their insurance being more than what it would have been without, my dads on my policy and it knocks quite a bit off it

I was tailgated and overtaken when I used P plates. Took them off after a few days and it stopped happening.

There are aggressive drivers out there who appear to intimidate and take advantage of new drivers.

chipsandchilli the black box only works to reduce your premium if you drive safely - that's the whole point of it