Faded road signs are not a good excuse for failing a driving test, one of Ireland’s most well known driving instructors has said. 

The Journal.ie reports that one of the country’s biggest driving schools, the Ladybird Driving School, has complained that faded lines are confusing their students. 

It means students have accidentally broken the rules of the road because they failed to see stop lines or yellow boxes. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, Brenda Bolger of the Bolger School of Motoring said the phenomenon was news to her. 

 “I don't want to dismiss that people don't operate in those areas that they're claiming have that issue,” she said. 

“But in 21 years of business, teaching people to drive and going through their tests, I've never come across faded road signs being the reason for failing.” 

A learner driver plate. Picture by: Alamy.com. 

Ms Bolger added that anyone who has been left confused by faded road marking should contact their local councillor or TD. 

However, she added that drivers have to know “how to read the road”, regardless of road markings. 

Ms Bolger continued that there are many so-called “unmarked junctions” around the country and drivers have to be able to navigate them safely. 

“So, whilst having the signs there is an aid while we're driving, it shouldn't be the sole reason that we know what to do in a particular place,” she argued. 

“For example, there's a road in Kilkenny and I'm sure there's the same in several places where the main road actually kind of turns to the left - and the signage is completely obscured by overgrowth of trees.

“So, if you're unfamiliar with that road structure, are you solely depending on being able to see the sign and the white paint on the road? 

“Because there are other signs at the other junctions that you could use to calculate what actions it is you're supposed to take.”

Main image: A learner driver taking a driving test. Picture by: Alamy.com.