P Plates - good or bad?

[Browncoffee]

Just passed my test this week, and have had conflicting views on the above.

Does having a 'P' plate mean other drivers are a bit more patient as I get used to driving on my own, or are others more likely to get impatient and frustrated especially when driving behind me? I obviously wouldn't be out driving if I wasn't confident. However, I'd be lying if I didn't say the first couple of days of driving solo have been slightly nerve-wrecking:o(

[Ramble66]

I used the for round 2 weeks, definitely made me feel nore confident. The idiot drivers will be idiots regardless of whether you use them or not.

Contgrats on passing!

[Browncoffee]

Thanks Ramble66. I'll go ahead and order one:-)

[DulwichFox]

I agree with Ramble66.

Certainly use them if it make You feel a bit more confident.

You will always get drivers who will drive close behind you.

I have been driving for nearly 40 years and it is still intimidating to me when they do.

Congrats on passing.

Drive safely and enjoy it.

[Annette Curtain]

Well done for passing and I think you should do what's comfortable for you.

P- plate drivers DO get a *little more time from me.

:)Annette

( *15 seconds-ish )

[Twirly]

Congratulations on passing. By all means use the P plates - I did when I passed 4 years ago. Not sure if it made a blind bit of difference though. Used to get idiots doing stupid things even when I had L plates on. It'll probably just make the already considerate drivers all the more considerate.

I remember being really nervous when I first started driving on my own, particularly on the motorway (do they cover motorway driving yet?). Despite being a somewhat more mature learner driver, I still had my Dad come with me on the motorway for the first couple of trips! I highly recommend you get someone to go with you - 40 was the most I'd ever done up to the test, so 70 felt really scary, never mind merging with traffic that was doing 70+, and he gave me tips on how to deal with things (such as trying to be in the middle lane when approacing a slip road if possible to allow merging traffic in from the slip road). If you've got no-one to do this with you, then maybe consider doing the pass plus scheme (I intended to, but didn't feel I needed it in the end). Have fun!

[Browncoffee]

Thanks everyone! I'll certainly be driving with the 'P' plates, at least for the first couple of weeks.

@Twirly: motorway driving is still not allowed on 'L' plates so maximum speed so far is also 40mph. I plan to drive locally (avoiding motorways) for the first couple of weeks, then will have my instructor give me an additional lesson - just to tackle motorways:-o

@Annette: every second counts:o)

PS: I still hate turning right at the junction from East Dulwich Road to Peckham Rye:o( Please be patient when you spot the P plate driving taking her time, before turning right:o)

[DJKillaQueen]

If I see P Plates I definitely am extra considerate. I think safe drivers will respect the P Plates and be extra patient. And as someone else said, bad drivers will do whatever they like irregardless.

[ruffers]

The drivers who give L plates some consideration will probably do the same with the P so good there.

Those who don't won't, so no change.

Overall you're in the black so why not?

[Annette Curtain]

Given as some drivers are less than considerate to others

I'd like to see this Ⓦ sign on some cars/ vans

:)A.Curtain

[Hobbes]

I always wondered what the P was for, I confess, one of the things I thought they might be was identifying the driver as a paramedic on duty - like the doctors sometimes have when parking... oh well, now I know.