Locals and visitors to Ireland alike are required to understand road markings in Ireland and their meanings while driving. So, whether you are new to the island, new to driving, or visiting and are hiring a car, this useful guide to Ireland road markings will help explain the different types of markings you will see on the road and what they mean.
Knowing the meaning of road markings in Ireland is especially important for visitors who are choosing a rental car as their mode of transport. It is their responsibility to understand road markings meanings and always adhere to them.
There are lots of Irish road markings, and this article is aimed at explaining both their appearance and meaning.
Road markings in Ireland and their meanings
Whether they are locals or visitors, it is the responsibility of every driver in Ireland to understand the different road markings Ireland uses and what they mean.
Road markings are used to give clear instructions and guidance to road users, provide information and to ensure the safety of all road users while keeping traffic flowing. They can also provide warning information and are used to control the flow of traffic.
There are two categories of road line markings and 9 classes, and we will discuss each.
The two categories of road markings in Ireland are:
- Regulatory road markings
- Non-regulatory road markings
Regulatory road markings tell drivers what they can and cannot do on certain parts of the road.
Non-regulatory road markings give recommendations or options for drivers on the roads.
There are also two main colours used for road markings in Ireland, yellow and white.
Yellow road markings are typically used to indicate areas or places where you cannot stop or park. These include single and double yellow lines and yellow box road markings.
White road markings include all other types of road markings. White line road markings can be in the centre of the road, on the edge, and in front of you at junctions. The different types are explained further in the next section.
Road markings can be used on their own or to supplement upright signs on posts. Stand-alone ones include the road lane markings in the centre of the road.
9 Classes of Ireland road markings
There are 9 classes of road lane and road junction markings used in Ireland. Each is discussed below. Note that the road markings Northern Ireland uses are identical to that of the Republic of Ireland.
Traverse road markings
Traverse markings are road markings that are at a right angle to the centre line of the carriageway/road. Traverse markings include but are not limited to:
- stop road markings (which may include stop sign road markings)
- tram stop line
- yield line
- no entry line
The purpose of these lines is to control traffic and are accompanied with the corresponding road signs. These road markings are normally white lines.
A no entry line is a continuous white line sometimes accompanied with a broken line on one side. The position of the continuous white line indicates that from that side, traffic is not permitted to enter the road. For users exiting at a junction, the white line is on the far side of a broken white line, with the broken line nearest them.
No entry lines are used for one-way streets and a no entry line is always visible on roundabouts.
Traverse example picture:
Longitudinal road markings
This type of road marking is used to guide and confine traffic to its correct lane which is important for safety. These lines run in the centre and along the edge of carriageways.
This is one of the most common types of road markings found in Ireland.
These lines can be continuous or broken, and in the case of broken, gaps between the painted lines can be different sizes. They can also be white or yellow in colour, and are designed to guide drivers in a forward motion, helping with navigation and preventing overtaking in dangerous sections of the road.
There are a few white longitudinal central road markings that are the most important.
- Broken single white line with even spacing and even length lines: this denotes the centre of the road and separates two-way traffic, or two lanes on dual carriageways and motorways. Visitors to Ireland who have a rental car and are not used to driving on the left side of the road should ensure they remain to the left of this centre line.
- Broken single white line with longer white broken lines and shorter gaps between them: this denotes approaching hazards or restricted visibility. This can warn of sharp bends approaching, roundabouts ahead, junctions ahead, or when approaching a continuous white line for no overtaking on certain sections of the road ahead.
- Double broken white lines: this denotes that continuous solid white lines are coming up head. You can overtake on these but be aware solid double white lines are approaching.
- Single continuous line: this denotes no overtaking on the carriageway on either side of the road. This must be strictly adhered to unless there is an obstruction in the road such as a vehicle, bicycle or horse moving less than 10kph, or if you are turning off the road into a driveway or side road and it is safe to do so.
- Single continuous white line with a broken single line on one side: this denotes no overtaking across the continuous white line, but drivers with the broken single line on their side may overtake if it is safe to do so but should continue to obey the rules of the road for their side of the road.
- Double continuous white lines: these denote no overtaking or straddling the line as in the case of a single continuous white line and you may only cross them for the same reasons, if there is an obstruction in your lane such as a vehicle, bicycle or horse moving 10kph or less, or to enter a side road or driveway if it is safe to do so.
Note: to cross a single or double continuous set of white lines for any other reason is an offense and comes with a driver penalty and fines of up to a maximum of €1000.
White zig zag road markings at the side of the road or in the central line of the road warn drivers of an approaching pedestrian crossing and there is no parking or overtaking on these lines.
A solid white line at the side of a road is used to mark the edge of the road or carriageway and is useful when visibility is restricted.
Example longitudinal road marking:
Single broken yellow lines running along the side of the road indicates a hard shoulder which can only be used by cyclists and pedestrians. Drivers may only cross this line to allow faster-moving traffic to overtake them IF the hard shoulder is free of cyclists and pedestrians and they should move back to their lane outside of this yellow line as soon as possible. These lines will be to the left of your car when driving in Ireland.
Single broken yellow lines can also indicate a lay-by or place to pull in if the road beside the broken yellow opens up or wides.
Where the section of the road within the solid yellow line has the width of a full lane on a motorway, this denotes the motorway hard shoulder and it can be used by vehicles to pull in but only in the event of a breakdown or emergency.
A solid yellow line that runs along the edge of a road or carriageway indicates that you cannot stop or park there at certain times. The times will be indicated by an informational road sign nearby.
Double solid yellow lines that run along the edge of a road indicate that there is no parking or stopping at any time.
Example yellow lines at edge of road picture:
Hatched road markings
Hatched road markings are used to channel traffic, warn road users of central reservations, indicate a reduction in the road ahead, or mark other areas drivers should not enter unless it is safe to do so.
There are two elements to hatched road markings:
- The bounding line or lines, and
- The hatched road markings themselves.
Continuous boundary lines mean entry is prohibited, while broken boundary lines mean entry is not prohibited.
The most common are white hatched road markings, although in certain circumstances you will find yellow hatched road markings.
Hatched road markings are most commonly found where central reservations are located and are accompanied by a blue directional road sign (see picture below).
The other common use of hatched road markings in Ireland is on single carriageway roads to separate streams of traffic, for example, in the case of allowing drivers to turn right. This allows turning drivers to wait safety while not impeding the flow of traffic.
Hatched road markings are also found where traffic is exiting or merging with another road such as on dual carriageways and motorways. These will have continuous white boundary lines and must not be crossed under any circumstances. They may be accompanied by chevron road markings.
Hatched road markings picture:
Worded and Diagrammatic markings
This type of road marking uses either words or diagrams to give instructions to drivers.
These road marking are generally white, but there are a few exception that are yellow including the road signs for school road markings.
Worded road markings include, but are not limited to:
- The word STOP for stop road markings (usually accompanying a solid white traverse line and with an octagonal STOP road sign).
- The word YIELD for yield road markings.
- The work SLOW for slow road markings.
- The word SLOW with look left/right.
- The words NO ENTRY (usually with a solid white traverse line and a no entry sign).
- The word SCHOOL with KEEP CLEAR for school keep clear road markings.
- The word SCHOOL WARDEN CROSSING to indicate a crossing with a school warden present.
- The words LOOK LEFT/LOOK RIGHT on the side of roads to warn pedestrians of the direction of approaching traffic.
Diagrammatic road markings include, but are not limited to:
- Speed limit indications on the road.
- Triangular yield marking.
- Lane indication arrows.
- Lane destination diagrams such as for ferry terminals or airports.
- Destination lane markings such as for motorways.
Example diagrammatic road marking:
Parking and loading requirements markings
Parking road markings include single and double yellow lines located at the edge of the road.
Single yellow lines indicate parking is restricted to outside certain days and times, while double yellow lines are no parking road markings, as already explained in an earlier section.
Parking bays are denoted by white lines which can indicate parallel parking, perpendicular parking, or angled parking. These can be both inside controlled car parks or on public roads.
There are also specific disabled parking road markings for use by those with specially fitted vehicles and who carry a disabled parking badge. Disabled bay markings are denoted with the special Disabled Person’s Parking Bay Symbol in white and are often larger spaces both in width and length. It is strictly prohibited to park in one of these bays unless you are the holder of a disabled parking badge, which must be prominently displayed on the car dashboard.
Dedicated parking bays for electric vehicle charging are becoming more common in Ireland and are denoted by the Electric Vehicle Parking Bay regulatory sign.
Taxi stands fall under this class and will be a restricted parking area that is clearly marked with along the curb side with the word TAXI included.
Loading bays will have the word LOADING within or on the bounding white line and will be accompanied by an informational road sign that gives the days and times when loading is in operation for that bay.
Bus and tram road markings
Bus stop road markings are indicated by broken white lines lying both parallel and perpendicular to the kerb and with the word BUS marked within the bus stop. No other vehicles are permitted to stop or wait inside this box.
Bus lane markings are white and are indicated by a solid white line running at the edge where the bus lane meets the other lanes of traffic. They also contain the words BUS LANE/LÁNA BUS within them at regular intervals.
The beginning and end of bus lanes are usually marked by broken white lines in the following formation:
- Start at the kerb and run to the full width of the bus lane to denote the start of the dedicate bus lane.
- Start at the full width of the bus lane and run to the kerb to denote the end of the dedicated bus lane.
The end may be accompanied by a yellow box (see further below), where it may be difficult for the bus to re-enter the general traffic stream. Note that bus lane road markings may be both ‘with-flow’ or ‘contra-flow’ in direction. Bus lanes are common throughout busy towns and cities in Ireland.
Example bus stop/lane picture:
Tram road markings are indicated by thick solid white lines and the words TRAM LINE/LÁNA TRAM clearly marked. Tram lines can run adjacent to traffic lanes or in the centre of the road.
Yellow boxes are common along tram lines to ensure the tram can travel without obstruction when necessary. At junctions where tram lines cross traffic lanes, traffic lights are in operation as well as yellow boxes to ensure the tram lines remain clear.
Tram lines picture:
Cycle track markings
Cycle track or cycle lane road markings denote dedicated tracks or lanes for cyclists, both on roads and pavements, and can be a continuous or broken white line. Within the lane will be the Cycle symbol.
Cycle track markings can be used in conjunction with other road markings and are accompanied by the relevant regulatory road signs. Cycle lanes can include directional arrows, and the yield triangle which cyclists using the lane must obey.
Markings within the cycle track or lane are white and the lane can either be an extension of the road or be marked in red.
Cycle tracks are generally ‘with-flow’ unless they are on a one-way road for all other traffic, in which case the cycle track may be ‘contra-flow’ and cyclists should obey the rules of the road for the direction they are travelling and remain on the left of the lane.
Example cycle lane picture:
Yellow box road markings
Yellow box road markings are used to help the flow of traffic and are marked by yellow lines forming a box on the carriageway or road with yellow cross-hatched diagonal lines contained within the box.
Yellow box markings can be found at
- Road junctions including roundabouts.
- At junctions where trams cross the traffic.
- At the exit of bus lanes.
- At railway crossings.
- At other locations where blocking traffic would cause significant traffic problems.
Yellow boxes (as they are also known) may be accompanied by light signals such as traffic lights where appropriate and necessary such as at tram and railway crossings.
Before crossing a yellow box, drivers must ensure there is sufficient space after the box for the entire length of their vehicle to ensure they do not cause an obstruction. If in doubt, wait for a larger space to open up before crossing the box.
Yellow box picture:
Reflecting road studs
The last class of Irish road markings are reflecting road studs or reflective road markings. These may be used in both urban and rural areas for extra visibility of road edges and markings, particularly in the dark and especially where no street lighting is present.
Road studs are also known as ‘cat’s eyes’ and they can be reflective, non-reflective and solar powered and are used to make the boundaries on roads more obvious in the dark.
Road studs can be used in the following places:
- Centre line.
- Lane line.
- Edge line.
- Hatched markings.
Road studs can be white, green or yellow.
- White road studs are used to denote general lanes and the central dividing line, be it a single broken/continuous or double broken/continuous line.
- Green road studs indicate change in direction on the road for exiting/merging traffic, while the central line road studs remain white.
- Yellow road studs are used to denote the edge of the carriageway, typically denoting the hard shoulder on motorways and the edge of a merging/exiting lane on dual carriageways and motorways.
10 Most common road markings in Ireland visitors will encounter
There are a few common Irish road markings you will encounter as a visitor to Ireland or even a local. Here are the 10 most common ones.
1. Single broken white line in the centre of the road
Denotes the separation between lanes of traffic. This can be crossed on a two-way road to overtake other vehicles, provided it is safe to do so. You should remain on your side of the road at all other times.
2. Single broken white line with longer lines and shorter gaps in the centre of the road
Denotes approaching hazards or danger such as sharp bends or solid white lines. You should avoid crossing them unless it is safe to do so.
3. Solid white line
Denotes no overtaking along that section of the road, and you also cannot perform a U-turn. You must remain on the left side of the road unless you are avoiding an obstruction or turning right.
4. Single yellow lines
Denotes no parking during specific time restrictions. Accompanied by an information road sign nearby.
5. Double yellow lines
Denotes no parking at any time, including bank holidays and Sundays.
6. Solid white line at a junction with broken white line behind it
Denotes no entry to that lane on the junction. This is often accompanied by the words NO ENTRY and the relevant road sign.
7. Double broken white lines
Denotes a single solid white line lies ahead. Avoid crossing these.
8. White or yellow lines that run in zig zags
Denotes an approaching pedestrian crossing. These generally run along the edge of the road and indicate no parking is allowed in this section. You are also not permitted to overtake on approach to this crossing.
9. Yellow diagonal box in the centre of the road
As already discussed, this denotes no parking or stopping is allowed in this area to ensure there are no obstruction to other road users.
10. Single broken yellow along left-hand side of the road
Denotes a hard shoulder. At the road edge it denotes a hard shoulder for cyclists and pedestrians only and you may only cross into it to allow other road users to pass you, so long as the hard shoulder is free from cyclists or pedestrians.
General concluding picture:
Conclusion
With this helpful guide to road markings in Ireland you should now understand their meanings better. Whether you are a local or a visitor to Ireland, it is your responsibility to adhere to the traffic signs and road markings in operation on the Emerald Isle.
It is especially important for visitors renting a car in Ireland to know and understand the Irish road signs and markings to ensure they comply with the rules of the road.
So, whether you are getting ready for your trip, or are already on the island and have seen a road marking you are unfamiliar with, this guide should help clarify it and its meaning.