My son has just got his learner's permit and has been enjoying learning to drive in my Prius. My problem is that my windows are tinted so the "L" plates that you stick inside the back wind screen are not visible to other drivers. We bought the magnetic ones to try and stick outside on the back of the car, but this panel appears to not be metal. The "L" plates will stick on all the doors but not on the front or back, where we need them. I have threaded some string through them and we hang it from the back wiper, but it looks bad. Does anyone have any suggestions?
I attach my taxi licence plate to the rear of my vehicle using velcro! I use a small strip of the furry side (so it doesn't collect fluff) on the plastic window below the spoiler and the hook side is stuck on my licence plate. If it's strong enough to hold a plastic licence plate, it should be strong enough to hold a learner plate. Eventually the water will get to the furry strip and it'll come off and so far it hasn't left any glue behind. I'm guessing if it does leave glue it should be removed CAREFULLY using neat windscreen wash or similar. I use the velcro because the car is mine and I remove the taxi licence plate on my days off - I hate having everyone know I'm a taxi! I attach a couple pics;
Do something similar to what they do at the Auto Dealers with their plates.The plate is attached to a piece of leather[plastic straps] and then you drop it over the rear door edge and close the door. It just hangs over the edge. Open the rear hatch and lift it off. H
My elder daughter just wedges her "P" plate behind the number plate. I have yet to let my other daughter to drive the Prius yet. She is learning on our old Ford Laser, to which I have attached a plastic L/P plate bracket - so my elder daughter uses this for her "P"s and the younger one can just lift these out and put in her "L" plates. The bracket, for both front and back, was less that $20 at Auto One.
But are they not difficult to remove? esp if they've been baked on by the sun. Also, not sure what the law is in Oz or Cyprus but here you must remove the 'L' plate when the learner is no longer driving the car (such as when dad uses the car for work). This could prove tricky with a sticker.
The general law here in Australia is that the 'L' plate can only be displayed when the learner is behind the wheel, with the exception of those vehicles used by professional instructors. It must be removed in all other cases. The rules differ from state to state - I can tell that the OP does not live in NSW as the law in NSW does not allow for the plate to be inside the vehicle - they (front and back) must be affixed to the outside. The same with the next level of licence, the 'P' (for provisional) plate. Other states have slightly different rules. Here in NSW, the kids need their various plates for a minimum of 4 years, so it makes it worth the cost of buying a plate holder that can be attached to the number plate. The law is that they must have their 'L' plate for a minimum of 1 year (and do more that 120 hours of driving) before they can sit their driving test. Then they are on a red 'P' for a minimum of 1 year. Another test (computer based) before they can get their green 'P' which they have to have for a minimum of 2 years. Finally another computer based test before they can get their standard licence. There are restrictions on speed, number of passengers, and zero alcohol while on their 'P's.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I am in Victoria, and we can have the plates in the car, except in my car they are not visible due to the tint.. I will look in to getting a bracket. I assume this attaches to the license plate? We have to achieve 120 hours of driving and then another 3 years on P's so I'm sure the bracket will prove useful.
Wow, I thought I was the only L-Plater with a Prius in Sydney! Turns out I'm not alone... For my L's I used the bracket device, it screws in under the number plate, although it looks pretty dorky, so as soon as I get my P's in February I'll get the stick on window plates. I have a 20% tint, I wouldn't imagine it would be too much of a problem? Sigzephyr, how does your son like the Prius? Does he hypermile?
Static stick ones from an auto parts store. I'm sure they sell them in Victoria to. Sticks to the outside of the windows like gladwrap sticks.
He loves it. But it is the only car he knows. I need to get him to spend some time in my husband's car (Subaru Outback) to see the difference. That car is very powerful, so I'm waiting a while. We ended up getting the brackets. The back one looks especially bad, but at least they do the job. We bought plastic L plates to go in them, but they were too big and we needed to trim them. Why is it all so difficult. As for hypermiling, we haven't tried that yet. I don't even do that. I think he is getting spoilt driving the Prius, as it will be a while before he can buy a car this nice. I love my Prius.
I only drive the Prius until i reached 120 hours, i now occasionally drive my Mum's Fiat Ritmo turbo manual, its very powerful as well, so i dont really like it. I also had to cut down the plastic L's, they look soooo bad! What economy or you getting?
Just a note here... we don't have Learner plates in the USA. Those inexperienced drivers are out there, with no warning for the rest of us! :gasp: I think it's a great idea to have Learner plates.
They're a good idea - for both the learner driver and the impatient driver behind them! In the UK a new driver MUST display a L Learner sticker on the front and rear when being taught by a parent etc and can't drive the car without a fully licenced (non intoxicated) driver in the passenger seat. Once they pass their test they are free to drive alone with as many passengers as the car can carry (assuming they can get insurance!) and can now remove the L plate. It is optional to display a P provisional plate or green L plate to show they're a new driver for 6 months after passing their test. Usually allows them a little room for error before being given the horn by impatient drivers. Australia has a better system for young/new drivers in that they are limited to the number of passengers they can carry for a year or two after passing their test and have restrictions on times they can drive etc. The L learner plate is worth it just for the extra patience other drivers will give. Could it be an optional thing in the US or would it just confuse?
Yeah, it's weird to read this thread from the U.S. Occasionally a parent (?) will buy a bumper sticker for their kid's car, but that's about it, and it's totally optional. Only driving instructors' cars are routinely labelled (usually "Student Driver").
