A new provision has made it an offence for learner drivers to be unaccompanied in cars.
The 'Clancy Amendment' of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act means the owner of a vehicle, who knowingly allows an unaccompanied learner or unlicensed person to drive, could face prosecution.
Their vehicle could be detained by the Gardaí, or they could be fined.
The provisions came into effect from December 22nd.
Transport Minister Shane Ross said: "I hope that this new law will have a serious impact on driving culture in this country.
"I hope that vehicle owners will act responsibly when allowing learners to drive their vehicles, be those learners sons and daughters, friends, or other family members.
Shane Ross TD has announced unaccompanied learner driver provisions with effect from 22/12/18 - ‘Clancy Amendment’. It is now an offence for the owner of a vehicle to knowingly allow an unaccompanied learner or unlicensed person to drive their vehicle. https://t.co/Wb9gZRzx5Q pic.twitter.com/oPJ2kohVUU
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) December 21, 2018
"Unaccompanied learner driving is illegal and it is dangerous.
"Once and for all we need to stamp out the entirely false notion that once someone has a learner permit they are free to drive as they wish.
"A learner permit is not a driving licence."
The law was named for Geraldine and Louise Clancy, who died in a road crash involving an unaccompanied learner driver in 2015.
Noel Clancy - whose wife and daughter died - said: "We are very pleased that this new law is coming into effect at last.
"We are looking forward to it being enforced by the Gardaí and more importantly observed by car owners and learner drivers."
While Moyagh Murdock, chief executive of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) added: "Now, with the introduction of the 'Clancy Amendment', if you are an unaccompanied learner driver or you let one drive unaccompanied, you will face the consequences.
"A learner permit is not a licence. Learners have not passed a driving test. As inexperienced and unqualified drivers they're a risk to themselves and other road users if allowed to drive unsupervised."
To support the introduction of the new law, the RSA collaborated with Mr Clancy to develop a new public awareness campaign.
The radio and TV advert will hear him share his message - that if you let a learner drive unaccompanied, you are putting them, and everyone on the road at risk.
The campaign is also being shown in cinemas over Christmas and will run online and on social media.
