Almost 6,000 learner drivers got penalty points last year for not being accompanied by a qualified motorist.

It's an increase of nearly 200 on the previous year, according to freedom of information figures.

5,929 penalty point notices were issued to learner drivers last year for not being accompanied by a qualified motorist.

That's 185 more than the previous year.

Of last year's notices, more than a third - or 2,145 - were issued to drivers in Dublin.

619 were issued in Cork, 355 in Kildare, and 263 in Wexford.