From midnight on Monday, 120,000 holders of second provisional licences will be banned from driving alone. Current law already requires those on a first, third and subsequent provisional licence to be accompanied by a driver of at least two years' experience.
However, following widespread criticism of the measure and a rethink by Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, it would appear that this law will not be enforced for the next few months.
The Minister says gardaí will approach the issue "using discretion and common sense as opposed to automatic prosecution".
That means unaccompanied drivers on provisional licences who get stopped by gardaí can expect nothing more than a caution or some advice. This has been the practice up to now in relation to those on first, third and subsequent provisional licences; now it will be applied to all provisional licence-holders, at least until the new year.
Contrary to some reports, provisional licence-holders who crash while driving unaccompanied will not have their insurance invalidated. However, the Irish Insurance Federation has suggested insurers could in future seek a change to policies which would require drivers to comply with the rules of the road. Such a change in conditions would affect "own damage" claims only, and not damage to third parties.
The authorities have promised that provisional drivers who are particularly reliant on their cars will be prioritised in the queue for driver testing and the number of tests being carried out is to be increased.
Provisional licences are being phased out from next week, to be replaced on expiry by a learner permit.