[shillelagh]

In northern ireland when you pass your test you have to put a R plate on your car for a year. This restricts you to driving on 'normal roads' you arent allowed to drive on motorways. I think its a good idea. I know when I passed my test even though i had been flying up and down the bypass to bury and over to burnley i wasnt sure about driving on motorways. If i was going on a motorway i used to try and get someone to come with me to give me more confidence. My driving instructor used to take me out at different times of day/night she said you have to get used to driving at different times of day/night. In fact i did most of the pass plus before i passed my test the only one i didnt do was motorway driving. I think what it comes down to also is have you got a good driving instructor. One who will take you out at different times so you get used to driving at teatime, night, morning etc. I know my niece has just passed her test and first thing she did was book pass plus the second was to buy a car! Might be because she will be driving into manchester every day for college and so she was a bit wary of that.