The Novice Driver sign - how long should it be installed on the car and the fine for its absence

Is the novice driver sign required in 2021?

Let's consider paragraph 8 of the main provisions for the admission of vehicles to operation and the responsibilities of officials to ensure road safety:

8. The following identification marks must be installed on vehicles: ... “Beginner driver” - in the form of a yellow square (side 150 mm) with a black exclamation mark 110 mm high - on the back of motor vehicles (except for tractors, self-propelled vehicles, motorcycles and mopeds ), driven by drivers who have been licensed to drive these vehicles for less than 2 years.

List of malfunctions and conditions under which the operation of vehicles is prohibited:

7.151. There are no identification marks that must be installed in accordance with paragraph 8 of the Basic Provisions for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety, approved by Resolution of the Council of Ministers - Government of the Russian Federation of October 23, 1993 N 1090 “On the Rules traffic."

Thus, the “Beginner Driver” identification badge is mandatory for drivers with less than two years of experience, and operating a vehicle without it is prohibited.

Is it possible to replace the “exclamation mark” with the “U” sign?

A warning sign with the letter “U” in a triangle has nothing to do with novice drivers. This designation identifies training machines that provide duplicate control. The instructor can intervene at any time and control the actions of the person behind the wheel. Once you receive your driver's license, your learner status is automatically removed. The driver becomes the same participant in the traffic as other motorists.

A sticker with the letter “U” is regarded as disregard for traffic rules. Violators are punished with a fine of 500 rubles.

Download the “Beginner Driver” sign to print

Making the “Beginner Driver” identification sign is not difficult. It is enough to fulfill the following conditions:

Square dimensions 15x15 cm.
The height of the exclamation mark is 11 cm.
The background color of the sign is yellow.
The exclamation point color is black.

Please note that the dimensions of the “Beginner Driver” sign are determined quite accurately. Using a sign whose dimensions do not comply with traffic regulations is a violation. Moreover, a violation will be both the use of a small sign (less than 150 mm) and the use of an enlarged sign (more than 150 mm).

If your driving experience does not exceed two years, then I recommend that you download the identification plate of the correct dimensions and print it on an A4 sheet:

In the version for black and white printers, the background of the sign is transparent, so you should paint it yourself with yellow (pencil, marker, felt-tip pen, paint, etc.).

Where to put the “Beginner Driver” sign

Traffic regulations require that a novice driver sign be mounted on the rear of the vehicle. However, the specific location of the sign is not named. In this regard, you can choose any suitable place and install a sign:

On the rear window (from the inside or outside).
On the rear bumper.
On the trunk lid.
On the trunk door.

I recommend choosing a place so that it does not block your view.

For example, it is better to stick a sign on the bumper than on the rear window.

Fine for not having a novice driver sign in 2021

Let's consider part 1 of article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses:

1. Driving a vehicle in the presence of malfunctions or conditions under which, in accordance with the Basic Provisions for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety, operation of the vehicle is prohibited, with the exception of malfunctions and conditions specified in parts 2 - 7 of this article, -
entails a warning or the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of five hundred rubles.

The fine for the absence of an identification mark is 500 rubles . The second punishment option for this violation is a warning. The specified fine can be paid with a 50 percent discount.

Towing rules for a novice driver

Clause 20.21 of the traffic rules:

20.21. When towing, driving towing vehicles must be carried out by drivers who have been licensed to drive vehicles for 2 years or more.

A novice driver cannot operate a towing vehicle, i.e. the tractor that is in front.

This rule applies only to towing motor vehicles and does not apply to towing trailers. Those. a novice driver can drive a car with a trailer whose weight corresponds to the open category of the driver's license.

Also, the restriction does not apply to driving a towed vehicle (located behind).

The restriction applies to all types of towing: with a flexible hitch, with a rigid hitch, or with partial loading.

General recommendations

It is necessary to be vigilant at uncontrolled intersections, as they are one of the most dangerous areas on the highway. Accidents occur on them for various reasons:

violation of maneuvering rules;
inattention to road signs or markings;
safe distance is not maintained, etc.

When driving a car, you need to take into account that not all road users will comply with traffic rules.

This can happen either deliberately by violators or due to inattention by other drivers.

Therefore, you should not reduce your attention even if your car has the right of way to pass on the main road or exit at a green light. At any moment you need to have time to react to a rapidly changing situation

Particularly dangerous objects are parked cars on the side of the road. They can hide any pedestrian behind them at any time. In some cases, its shadow can be seen under the car or a silhouette can be seen behind the windows. In any case, it is advisable to slow down before driving near such a car.

There are proven and generally accepted factors that reduce the driver’s attention to the surrounding environment or slow down the reaction to events:

smoking while driving;
prior use of medications containing painkillers or sedatives;
driver fatigue or poor health;
reduced rigidity of the brake pedal or increased rigidity of the steering wheel;
wet or slippery track;
reduced visibility on the road;
excessive excitement or excitement while driving;
congestion of the route.

Be sure to keep your distance when the speed limit is set. In the city, you must adhere to a safe interval of 20 m, and outside of it, on dry surfaces, it is enough to drive no closer than 40 m. For slippery surfaces, the distance must be increased.

You should not maintain an unreasonably large distance in order to avoid provoking other vehicles to make an unreasonable maneuver.

It is undesirable to keep the clutch depressed for a long time, as this negatively affects the duration of its operation. The release bearing is not designed for such conditions, so it can quickly fail. When coasting, you can turn on the neutral speed, and not press the clutch for a long time.

Reverse gear is engaged only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop. Otherwise, the gears in the gearbox will quickly wear out.

It is important to control the situation around your car. To do this, visual inspections are carried out regularly through the rear-view mirrors.

This must be done before any maneuver.

When you encounter an icy section on the way, for example, after some descent on the road in early spring or late autumn, you should not brake on it if possible. If the situation allows, then it must be passed at the same speed. Braking on it can lead to skidding, especially if the tires are not appropriate for the season.

A high-quality highway can create a misleading impression of the car’s current speed, so a speedometer will help you really assess the situation. Do not abuse the speed limit.

If there is a noticeable deterioration in your health while driving, you should try to press the hazard warning lights, notifying other motorists or pedestrians about the problem. Afterwards, if possible, you will need to turn to the right closer to the side of the road and stop.

Doors must be locked when transporting children. In many brands of cars there is a special lever for this, which is visible at the end of the door under the lock mechanism. If it is not there, then you need to press the blocking buttons.

Rules for the carriage of passengers

Paragraph 22.21 of the traffic rules:

22.21. Transportation of people on a motorcycle must be carried out by a driver who has a driver’s license for the right to drive vehicles of category “A” or subcategory “A1” for 2 or more years; transportation of people on a moped must be carried out by a driver who has a driver’s license for the right to drive vehicles of any category or subcategories for 2 or more years.

Novice drivers cannot transport passengers on motorcycles and mopeds.

Please note that the restriction on the carriage of passengers applies not only to two-wheeled vehicles, but also to motorcycles with sidecars, as well as three-wheeled mopeds.

Speed limit for beginners - is it true?

No. Despite the fact that the authorities have repeatedly tried to introduce a draft new law on speed limits for novice drivers, as of May 23, 2021, no official innovations have come into force, and regardless of experience, the permissible speed is the same for all drivers.

Previously, the Duma wanted to introduce restrictions for novice car enthusiasts. What would their top speed be if this came into effect?