Aviva Driving School Urges Learners to Follow Accompanied Driving Rules Ahead of New Permit Changes
New rules for multiple learner permits come into effect this Sunday, 1st November
Aviva Driving School, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, is urging learner drivers to follow accompanied driving rules as new measures aimed at reducing the number of people holding multiple learner permits come into effect this Sunday, 1st November.
Under the new rules*, learner drivers will need to have taken a driving test within the previous two years to obtain a third or fourth learner permit, rather than simply applying for a test. Those who have not taken a test within that timeframe will have to restart the learning-to-drive process once their permit expires. After four learner permits, anyone who wishes to continue learning will also have to start the process again. The changes are designed to encourage learners to complete their training, take their driving test and progress towards a full driving licence.
Previous research carried out by Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC (Aviva)** highlighted the prevalence of unaccompanied learner driving, with almost two-thirds (64%) of motorists surveyed saying they had either driven unaccompanied on a learner permit or knew someone who did.
Long waiting times for driving tests (58%) and poor public transport links, particularly in rural areas (56%), were the main reasons given for continuing to drive unaccompanied. Almost one-third (31%) cited a disregard for, or failure to recognise the importance of, driving rules.
Learner drivers who have yet to pass their test may not have the experience or confidence to deal with every situation they encounter on the road. Poor weather, difficult road conditions or the actions of another road user can all create situations where experience is vital. While having to be accompanied can sometimes be inconvenient, the rule is there for a very good reason: to protect the learner driver and other road users. The new permit rules are an important reminder that a learner permit is there to allow people to learn to drive safely and build their experience before progressing to a full driving licence.
Mike Kavanagh, Manager, Aviva Driving School, commenting on the changes
Aviva's research also found that:
- 28% of men and 26% of women surveyed said they had driven unaccompanied on a learner permit.
- Those aged 25–34 was the age group most likely to say they had driven unaccompanied, at 41%.
- 47% of men, compared with 31% of women, said they had never driven unaccompanied on a learner permit or known someone who did.
Learner drivers who purchase an Aviva Driving School package and have a family member insured with Aviva can also get accompanied driver cover on that person’s car, allowing them to build their driving experience outside of lessons while accompanied. Aviva also offers a telematics-based motor insurance option designed for new, young and first-time drivers, which can help drivers reduce the cost of their car insurance***. For more information on Aviva’s telematics car insurance, visit here.
ENDS
*according to the Road Safety Authority (RSA)
**according to research by iReach Insights on behalf of Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC, among 1,000 adults, 858 of whom were drivers in 2025.
***according to a report here