Clancy’s Law – Owner’s responsibility if a Learner driver driving unaccompanied

Under the new Road Traffic Act, if you have a son or daughter that is a learner driver YOU , the owner, will now be committing an offence if you allow them to drive without being accompanied by fully qualified driver.

However as the owner of the vehicle you will have a good defence to the charge to show that the vehicle was being used without your consent and either that you had taken all reasonable precautions to prevent its being used or that it was being used by the driver acting against your orders.

The fine imposed cannot exceeding €2000 or 6 month imprisonment or both such a fine and imprisonment.