Hundreds of learner drivers caught breaking the law by Limerick gardaí in 2025

Driving unaccompanied can lead to fines of up to €1,000 and four penalty points

Published 24th Apr 2026, 06:55 BST Man due in court after Garda car rammed during high speed chase following burglary in Midlands Driving unaccompanied can lead to fines of up to €1,000 and four penalty points Sign up to our Limerick Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Limerick Live within your account.

HUNDREDS of learner drivers were caught driving unaccompanied by gardaí in Limerick in 2025.

A total of 307 learner drivers were issued a fixed penalty notice by gardaí in the Limerick Garda division for driving without the accompaniment of a fully-licensed driver in 2025.

Figures released by Ireland South MEP, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, state that 354 learner drivers were issued fixed charge notices by Limerick gardaí for driving without a license in 2024.

The figures from 2025 mark a 13.1% decrease in the rate of learner drivers who were issued fixed charge notices for driving without an accompaniment in Limerick, compared to 2024's numbers.

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Cynthia Ní Mhurchú highlighted that many parents do not know that their car is at risk of being impounded by gardaí if their son or daughter drives it unaccompanied.

Ní Mhurchú said that the recent figures are encouraging because they show that learner drivers are getting the message.

The MEP stated: “Learner drivers lack the experience and judgment required to handle complex driving situations. That can mean more accidents on our roads."

"When an inexperienced driver gets behind the wheel of a car without any supervision, they are endangering themselves, other drivers, and other road users,” she said.

Ní Mhurchú said it is important to remind parents that learner drivers must be accompanied at all times by someone who has held a full, valid driving licence in the same category for a minimum of two years. Those who allow their vehicle to be driven by an unaccompanied learner driver, can have their vehicle impounded.

Driving unaccompanied can lead to fines of up to €1,000 and four penalty points.

The Transport MEP said she also wants to see continued improvements in driving test wait times.

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