Poll for learners : L plate or na?

[marioc]

yes i ride with an L plate

riding outside license conditions = potential rejected insurace claims

its only 6 months, and i got 1 to go so it doesnt worry me much. plus it makes when i get my restricted to actually mean something i can look forward to

yep good man same here,whats the point in a $400 fine for the sake of "looking cool".
I still travel at 100k's on the motorway as that law is very unlikely to be enforced,no l-plate however a different story.
Just the other day a mate of mine got fined for no l-plate.
I have found wellington drivers at least to be very thoughtful and patient when I have made mistakes and stalled the bike etc.
It is obvious they can see I am a learner and give me space.
Touch wood.

[marioc]

Has anyone actually ever used the "Sorry officer, the L plate must have broken off" line?
And does it work? Or do they just chuckle quietly to themselves while writing your ticket?

This is what my mate tried and that is exactly what happened,cops were not born yesterday.

[Toaster]

actually it's 50 demerit points

Nope. 25 per offence.

[McJim]

I voted yes coz I did for the whole 6 months. With the Price of 250s I needed all my cash to pay the loan on the bike. Thank god when I passed and I could sell the Honda 250 and buy a Ducati AND STILL HAVE CHANGE LEFT OVER!

[Chickadee]

Better to have it one for all the good reasons listed above like insurance and being given points if you're caught. I rode with an L plate when I had my learners. I'm a goodie two shoes though, but better to do the right thing aye!

[LilSel]

I dont use an L plate (cuz on restricted now lol...) but when I was on L licence, I didnt have a L plate on... I bought them the day before my restricted test n put on just before I went down to the testing station to sit it. I didnt wear a plate cuz I was just lazy I guess n didnt get around to it.
Also used motorways etc... +70kph... I understood the consequences of not displaying the plate ($400 fine) but in my 4 years of owning & riding my bike... I have not been pulled over once, responsible/safe riding=no problems with the law.... if you really suck however, get professional lessons & wear an L plate lol... so others can 'keep distance'... & go riding with a mate!!... I found when I was starting out, the lessons helped n my partner at the time being on vtr1000 riding with me every time we went out really helped with my confidence etc. She would give me tips/advice etc... I never was 'alone' 'learning' or found it 'scary'... if you find it 'daunting'... wear an L plate... if you cant afford the fine... wear an L plate... if you riding alone n its 'scary'... wear an L plate...

Pretty much its your decision, just know the consequences of your actions and dont come online and bitch when you get a $400 fine for not displaying an L plate

[DayRider]

I have a nice big L plate on,

and gone passed cop cars, and cop speed cam points many many times doing just under 110, never got stopped .

I have never heard from any one that they got stoped for doing more than 70, unless ofcourse they were doing 120 .

I leave mine on because of two main reasons:

1. If I have an accident, it's just the thing the insurance company needs to reject my claim
2. If I get pulled up there's a strong possibility of a $400 fine

That said, I don't keep to 70kmph on the open road simply because it's not safe. I've passed a couple of road-side cops while going 100kmph with my L plates on but none have come after me. Hopefully it'll stay this way for another few months until I get my restricted.

[EJK]

Ok you guys are scaring me lol
I'm gonna go for my restricted soon

[Joni]

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[nagaraya]

Voted yes but in reality had the plate on only during weekday commutes. During the weekends I'd just take it off. Mates were giving me shite about it

[sunhuntin]

I leave mine on because of two main reasons:

1. If I have an accident, it's just the thing the insurance company needs to reject my claim
2. If I get pulled up there's a strong possibility of a $400 fine

That said, I don't keep to 70kmph on the open road simply because it's not safe. I've passed a couple of road-side cops while going 100kmph with my L plates on but none have come after me. Hopefully it'll stay this way for another few months until I get my restricted.

same here. had mine on for 2 years now... slowly its getting worn down! LOL. aint much left after 20,000 plus k, lmfao.

have been overtaken by a cop down south... i was doing 110 due to sidewind. we just looked at each other, and he kept going.
having the l on is really the only rule i follow [o, and the 250 rule] have taken a co worker around the forecourt a couple of times, and have had the bike so heavily loaded, it may as well have been a person.

i prefer to stay on learners cos it makes things better for me. in the 2 years ive been riding, ive only been asked for a ride once, and that was by one of my favourite customers who used to ride when she was younger. id gladly take her too... just not yet.

[Macstar]

At first, yes (when I had a 250cc), but then I bought a Honda Rebel (CMX450) for the latter stages of my learners...

The guy I did my basic handling skills test suggested I either take my L plate off on the open road or just go 100kph for the same safety reasons as others have mentioned.

[LilSel]

i prefer to stay on learners cos it makes things better for me. in the 2 years ive been riding, ive only been asked for a ride once, and that was by one of my favourite customers who used to ride when she was younger. id gladly take her too... just not yet.

restricted means ya still cant take pillions n still no bigger than 250... only thing is no L plate n time restriction... sit ya restricted n nothing will change... just means when your ready to go to full... you dont have to wait (& less chance of being fined for breaking 'conditions of licence' ie; the time restriction, cuz we all know they dont bother bout the 70kph silly rule one!!)

[Happybug]

we didn't have L plates - heck when i sat licence, it was drizzling and cop didn't wanna get wet, so he said, u drive around the block and i'll watch. % mins later i had my licence.

[Dargor]

yes, unless im going to the land of 100kmph.