Thousands of solo learner drivers in Cork fined or had their cars seized 

Figures show that since 2023, 3,644 Cork people have either had their car seized or been issued with a fine and at least two penalty points for driving on a provisional licence without being accompanied by a full licence holder.

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan told the Dáil that 2,396 unaccompanied learner drivers in Cork have been penalised by gardaí since 2023, with around €383,360 charged in fines.

In Cork city, there were 441 fines issued in 2023; 566 in 2024, and 160 in 2025 to June 4. The totals for Cork were 447 two years ago, 525 last year and 257 so far this year.

Seized

A further 1,248 Cork learner drivers had their cars seized in accordance with section 41 of the Road Traffic Act by being driven by an unaccompanied learner driver.

In Cork city, this happened 231 times in 2023; 343 in 2024 and 118 so far this year.

In Cork county, there were 165 cars detained in 2023, 265 in 2024 and 126 so far this year.

Nationally, there were 5,046 cars of unaccompanied learner drivers seized in 2023; 6,483 in 2023, and 3,157 in the first half of 2025.

The figures in both fixed charge notices issued and cars detained, for both Cork city and county as well as nationally, show a slight decrease this year so far, comparative to the 2024 figures, with a total of 661 incidents for the six months of 2025 compared to 1,699 for the previous 12 months of 2024.

Legislation

Mr O’Callaghan explained that road traffic legislation, which falls under the remit of the Department of Transport, specifies that an unaccompanied learner driver can receive both a fine and penalty points.

“This is provided for by section 35A(3) of the Road Traffic Act 2016.

“The Road Safety Authority outlines that learner permit holders detected driving unaccompanied of a qualified person may receive a Fixed Charge Notice and a fine of €160, along withthe possibility of two penalty points,” said Mr O’Callaghan.

“If determined by a court, four penalty points may be issued.”