Are you visiting the Emerald Isle and going to be driving in Ireland for the first time? Are you wondering is it hard to drive in Ireland? In this guide to driving in Ireland as a tourist, we answer these questions and more.
We understand that it can feel daunting and a bit overwhelming when it comes to driving in Ireland for the first time, especially for those coming from countries where driving is on the right-hand side of the road. It is natural to worry about everything being on the wrong side of the car (and road) if you are not used to it.
We’ve put together a guide for tourist driving in Ireland, so you don’t have to worry anymore. Everything from the rules of the road Ireland follows to driving in Ireland with a US licence is covered here. So, let’s get going with our guide to driving in Ireland as a tourist.
Tips for Driving in Ireland as a Tourist
Driving in Ireland is the perfect way to explore the country and it opens up a wider range of possibilities than joining a coach tour or doing day trips from the likes of Dublin.
It offers flexibility to stop when you want, go further than planned and it allows you to find out-of-the-way hidden gems that you might otherwise miss. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some practical things to know about driving in Ireland as a tourist.
Driving in Ireland requirements
When it comes to driving in Ireland, the basic requirements are as follows:
- You must hold a current and valid driving license.
- You must have motor insurance in your own name or be a name driver on someone else’s policy. In the case of renting a car, you are named on the insurance policy that the car rental company holds.
We will address the rules regarding foreign license holders below.
Driving in Ireland age
The legal age for driving in Ireland is 17 years of age. However, despite 17 being the legal driving age in Ireland, most car rental companies in Ireland will not rent cars to those under the age of 25. Read why in our guide to car rental age restrictions in Ireland. There may be some exceptions, but you should always check ahead of time with your car rental company.
Can tourists drive in Ireland?
Yes, all tourists are permitted to drive in Ireland so long as they meet the legal requirements and hold a valid and current driving license. They must also be insured to drive the car they are in and in certain cases, hold an International Driving Permit alongside their current and valid driving license issued in their country of residence (see below for more details).
What to know when driving in Ireland for the first time
The very first thing you should know about driving in Ireland for the first time, aside from the fact that they drive on the left, is that the vast majority of cars, both private and rental cars, have manual transmission or stick shift.
While automatic cars are available, the cost of hiring them is significantly more than manual transmission as they are not as common in Ireland as manual.
If you have never driven a stick shift (manual) car before, you should consider some practise before you drive in Ireland or take a lesson or two to become familiar with the gear stick and clutch.
Driving manual for the first time can be challenging and you should never go to Ireland unprepared for stick shift cars if this type of transmission is the type you will be using.
Another common thing in Ireland that might not be as common in your own country is the abundance of roundabouts. We discuss these in greater detail further below.
And finally, be aware that speed limits and road signs change when you go between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. This will also be discussed in section further on in this article.
Is driving in Ireland on the left or right?
You might be wondering “Is it difficult to drive in Ireland as a tourist?”, well it depends. If you are coming from a country that drives on the left-hand side of the road like Ireland, then the answer is no. Everything will be exactly as you are used to.
However, since Ireland drives on the left, those coming from countries that drive on the right will be faced with everything being a mirror image of what you are used to on the roads.
You must yield to traffic approaching from the right, and cars are left-hand-drive in Ireland meaning you, the wheel, the gear stick (whether manual or automatic) and controls will be on the opposite side of the car, but these things are not in mirror-image positions. Items such as the indicators/blinkers, wipers and peddles are generally in the same position as right-hand-drive cars, just on the other side of the vehicle.
If you are renting a car in Ireland and are used to driving on the right, take time to familiarise yourself with where everything is from the indicators/blinkers to the radio and parking brake.
Once you are aware of things coming from your right, get comfortable driving a manual or stick shift car, know the most important rules of the road (listed below), and take extra care on country roads, narrow roads and while crossing roundabouts, driving in Ireland is not difficult.
Top tips for driving on the left-hand-side for the first time
– Yield to all traffic approaching you from the right.
– Merge with traffic on the right side of the car.
– Access motorway roads (highways/freeways) by turning left onto the slip road.
– Look for pedestrians stepping onto streets from the left.
Driving in Ireland with a foreign license
Whether they are tourists or planning to stay in Ireland, foreign license holders are permitted to drive in Ireland on their current license under the following rules:
– EU/EEA driving license holders are permitted to drive in Ireland until their current license expires. If they plan on staying in Ireland after that, they must exchange their foreign license for an Irish license prior to its expiration.
– All other license holders can drive in Ireland for up to one year on their current license before they must exchange it for an Irish driving license.
Can I drive in Ireland with a UK license?
Driving in Ireland with a UK licence is permitted but you may also be required to have a DVLA ‘check code’ with your license, particularly if you are hiring a car in Ireland. This ‘check code’ is valid for 21 days and allows you to share your driving record with anyone who requires it such as car hire companies. This can be applied for online here.
Can I use my U.S. driver’s license in Ireland?
Driving in Ireland as an American is permitted without the need for an International Driving Permit. If the license holder plans to remain in Ireland after one year, they must exchange their current, valid license for an Irish driving license or apply for an Irish driving license if it has expired.
Driving in Ireland with Canadian licenses or driving in Ireland on Australian licences are no different and follow the same rules as for US driving licenses.
Do you need an international driver's license in Ireland?
Any driving license that is not an EU/EEA license or issued by an English-speaking country such as the US, Canada, Australia or the United Kingdom must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit (IDP).
This IDP is not a replacement of your driving license, and you must always carry both with you when driving in Ireland.
Renting a Car in Ireland
Should I rent a car in Ireland?
The question of whether you should rent a car in Ireland very much depends on your travel style and what you want to achieve while in Ireland.
If you want to do a road trip around Ireland, then renting a car and road tripping go hand in hand.
To reach certain parts of the country will require a car due to the lack of regular (or any) public transport.
Unless you are coming to Ireland from the UK and are bringing your own car, then renting a car is going to be your mode of transport for exploring the island.
However, that said, if you are staying in the Irish capital, you do not need to hire a car. Driving in Dublin is chaotic at the best of times and if you are staying in the city centre, public transport is a brilliant option and of course, there are plenty of cabs servicing the city.
If you are renting a car from My Irish Cousin and are going to be visiting the city before exploring Ireland by car, we recommend you use public transport in the city and then arrange to pick up your rental car from one of our 7 locations across Dublin.
We have offices on St Stephen’s Green and Russell Street which are conveniently located within walking distance to most city centre hotels.
You can also do this in reverse by picking up your rental car from us at Dublin Airport and dropping it back to any of our Dublin locations before enjoying Dublin City on foot or by using public transport.
This will save you patience with Dublin traffic and save you any hassle trying to find parking or even worse, having to pay for parking in the busy city.
What type of car rental should I choose?
You should choose to rent a car from My Irish Cousin for the following reasons.
My Irish Cousin is an all-inclusive car rental company. What does that mean? It means that the price you receive on your quotation covers EVERYTHING. And we mean everything.
Most car rental companies will give you a quotation that shows the cost of the car and basic third-party insurance. Anything beyond this incurs an additional fee including second named drivers, Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW), unlimited mileage, permission to drive to Northern Ireland, coverage for glass and tyres, and full roadside assistance.
If you choose not to take the car rental company’s SCDW policy, you may face a €5000 charge on your credit card as an excess, whether you have a third-party comprehensive rental car insurance policy or not. With My Irish Cousin there is no excess so there is no need for us to charge your credit card €5000, just in case.
Without SCDW, you are advised to take pictures and videos of the car prior to leaving the car park of any scratches and scrapes to be compared to when you return the car. No need to do any of this with My Irish Cousin as your insurance policy with us covers everything.
The price you get from My Irish Cousin includes all of this for complete peace of mind while driving in Ireland. All these extras are chargeable by our competitors which can be a nasty surprise at the desk when you arrive in Dublin Airport.
My Irish Cousin also has a wide range of vehicles to suit travellers of every kind. The size of vehicle we recommend is dependent on your requirements, party size, and luggage. However, we do recommend you pack light, preferably with hand luggage and with soft shell luggage.
My Irish Cousin also has superior customer service both before, and during, your car rental period. We are always on hand and happy to assist with anything during your time in Ireland, whether it is car related or not. No other car rental company in Ireland provides this level of service.
We have even come to the rescue of customers of other car rental companies when the customers have not been able to get hold of their car rental company customer service people!
And finally, My Irish Cousin allows you to have different pick-up and drop-off locations without additional fees, something other car rental companies will charge a hefty fee for.
So, it is a no brainer which car rental company you should choose to hire a car from in Ireland if you want one price that covers everything and gives you complete peace of mind.
Oh, and I should also mention we have no upper age limit for hiring a car from us. No need to bring extra documentation with you. If you can drive at home, you can hire a car from us!
Road Rules for Driving in Ireland
In this section, we detail some of the important Irish rules of the road all visitors to the island should be aware of. While this is not an exhaustive list of Irish road rules, these are some of the most important you, as a driver in Ireland, needs to know. We have a guide to the most important rules of the road in Ireland every tourist should know which we briefly discuss below.
Road signs
When it comes to the rules of the road signs Ireland uses, many are the same as the UK and Europe. However, there are three differences:
- Warning signs in the Republic of Ireland, apart from a yield sign, take the form of a diamond shape with a yellow background and black symbol contained in the middle of the sign. This is difference from warning signs in Northern Ireland and the rest of Europe where they are triangular with a red border, white background and black symbol in the centre.
- Distances indicated on road signs in Ireland are displayed as kilometres per hour while in Northern Ireland they are in miles per hour. This is the same for speed limit road signs.
- In Ireland, road signs are generally displayed in both English and Irish except Gaeltacht areas (Irish speaking) where signs are only in Irish. In Northern Ireland, road signs are shown in English only.
If you are unsure of what road signs Ireland uses or have seen one and you aren’t sure what it means, then our guide to Irish road signs might help you.
Speed limits when driving in Ireland
As mentioned above, speed limits are different between the Republic and Northern Ireland as one uses kilometres and the other uses miles. So, whether you will be driving in Northern Ireland or the Republic, you need to be aware of the speed limits and their differences between the two countries.
The Northern Ireland national speed limit is as follows:
– 30mph (built up or urban areas)
– 60mph (rural areas or outside urban/built up areas)
– 70mph (dual carriageway/motorway roads).
The Republic of Ireland national speed limit is as follows:
– 50kph (in built up or urban areas)
– 80kph (on regional and local roads that are single lane)
– 100kph (on national roads)
– 120kph (on motorways/Irish highways)
A change in the speed limit units will tell you when you have crossed from the Republic into Northern Ireland and vice versa.
Seat belts are mandatory
Unlike some states in the US, seat belts are mandatory for both the driver and any passengers in the vehicle. Young children under the age of 12 and under 150cm in height and 16kg in weight must use an appropriate child safety restraint system or child booster seat.
Use of cell phones is prohibited
It is strictly forbidden to hold or use a cell phone or mobile phone while driving in Ireland.
While it is technically not illegal to use a cell phone via Bluetooth or hands-free, the police can stop any driver who they believe to be driving without due care and attention due to being distracted while using a cell phone via Bluetooth. They can also issue fines for unsafe driving.
Strictly no drinking and driving in Ireland
Drink driving in Ireland is a serious offense and comes with hefty fines.
Ireland has one of the lowest tolerances for alcohol levels in blood in the world, and this is lower than that of the US. The legal limit for fully licenced drivers is 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood. In the US, this is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
The legal limit for professional and learner drivers is 20 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood. Local police (An Garda Siochána) have powers to set up random breath-test checkpoints and the right to request any driver take a breathalyser test.
It is best to leave the car at your hotel or accommodation and use public transport or taxis if you plan on having a drink in Ireland and you do not have someone else acting as designated driver in your party.
Know who has right of way in Ireland
In Ireland, as already mentioned, drivers must give way to traffic approaching from the right.
This goes for roundabouts, motorways, slip roads onto other roads, and at any unmarked junctions, which you may come across in the countryside. Road markings in the countryside may be faded or even missing so it is important to look carefully for traffic coming from your right.
Keep important driving documentation with you at all times
You should always carry your driving license and insurance documents with you while driving in Ireland.
The vehicles registration document (known as the VRC or Vehicle Registration Certificate) should be in the car along with a valid certificate of roadworthiness (NCT test certificate) for cars over the age of 4. In Northern Ireland, these documents are known as the V5 certificate and MOT certificate.
If you are hiring a car in Ireland, you should keep your copy of your rental agreement in the car in case you are stopped by the police.
No left turns on red lights
When it comes to driving in Ireland for Americans, you should be aware that here is strictly no turning left when on a red light. While it is allowed to turn right in the US on a red light if the road is clear and it is safe to do so, this is not permitted in Ireland or Northern Ireland.
A red light means stop and and you must wait until the light turn green before turning left, right or proceeding straight.
Tips for Driving in Ireland
Here are some additional tips for driving in Ireland for tourists and locals alike.
Highways
Highways are called motorways in Ireland and are the easiest way to travel the country. Main cities such as Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Cork, Kilkenny and even Belfast are connected by motorways.
While they are not the most scenic route to take between destinations, they are often the quickest route and outside of the cities are generally quieter without too much traffic.
Some motorways have tolls along them which we mention below.
Toll Roads
Some motorways in Ireland operate as toll roads which means you need to pay in order to use them. At certain points along them, you will encounter toll plazas which have different types of lanes.
There will be lanes for electronic toll tags, lanes for paying with cash, and specific lanes for lorries and trucks to use with extra head height.
There are currently 11 toll roads in Ireland which include the M1, M3, M4, N6, Limerick Tunnel, N25, Dublin Port Tunnel, M50 and the East Link Toll.
Note that the toll plazas are only located at certain points along the motorway, meaning depending on your route and destination, you may not encounter any. Click here to find out more about toll roads in Ireland and exactly where they are located.
M50
One of the toll roads mentioned above is the M50. This is a circular toll road that encircles much of Dublin as it passes around and through the outer suburbs.
Between Junction 6 (N3 Blanchardstown) and Junction 7 (N4 Lucan) you will encounter tolls. This road does not have a toll plaza with lanes and booths as it operates via an electronic gantry system.
The gantry system has cameras overlooking the motorway that register the number plate of every vehicle crossing underneath. This is then recorded in a database where payment is processed.
Anyone arriving at Dublin Airport and then travelling west or south in the Republic of Ireland will pass under the M50 gantry system.
If your rental car does not have an electronic toll tag fitted (My Irish Cousin can arrange one for you by prior arrangement), then you will need to pay a toll before 8pm the next day. Read our step-by-step guide to paying the M50 toll online to find out how you can do this and avoid any penalty charges for late payment.
Cash while driving in Ireland
It is a good idea to ensure you have cash on you at all times while driving in Ireland as a tourist. Some toll roads do not accept cards for payment and some rural gas (petrol) stations do not accept cards.
So, ensure you have change for toll roads and enough cash on you to fill up your car if the fuel station doesn’t accept cards.
You may also need cash to pay for parking at some tourist sites as well. The public car park at the bottom of the Rock of Cashel is a payable public car park as is the one at Cahir Castle.
Roundabouts
Roundabouts are everywhere in Ireland. They keep traffic flowing and are used in place of traffic lights, especially at busy junctions where traffic jams could build up without free-flowing traffic.
For some tourists, roundabouts are a new thing to encounter on the roads. But they don’t have to be difficult to navigate.
The most important thing to remember with Irish roundabouts is to yield to traffic coming from your right and already on the roundabout and to enter the roundabout by turning left. You must also go around roundabouts in a clockwise manner. If you remember that, you will be fine.
If a roundabout has two lanes on the approach, use the left-hand lane for turning left or going straight ahead as far as 12 o’clock (midday). For any junction after 12 o’clock or for turning right, use the right-hand lane on the approach.
Rural roads
When you come to drive in Ireland, rural roads are ones on which you should take extra care and pay extra attention.
These roads are country roads and are often narrower than main roads. Stone walls lining the side are common, as are bushes. They often have blind corners and are without verges.
These roads can often be used by locals as shortcuts and who tend to drive fast since they know the roads. What they do not consider are visitors driving along the road who do not know it well. They drive quite fast, and it can be unnerving meeting a fast car, van or truck coming at you on one of these roads.
That said, do not let that put you off driving these roads. These can be some of the most scenic drives in Ireland, you just need to take extra care when using them.
Keep to the left as much as you can and slow down when coming towards any bend.
Watch out for laybys or spots to pull in if the road is particularly narrow and allow others to pass you before continuing your journey.
Livestock on roads
And our last point leads us nicely into this one, livestock on the roads.
It is not uncommon in rural areas to come across livestock on the roads as farmers move animals from one field to another, or even horse riders on the roads. Slow down or stop and allow them to move on before continuing your journey.
In other places in Ireland, such as along the road to Keem Bay on Achill Island, sheep often line the roads without any barriers. They graze on the grass lining the road. So, take extra care and pass by slowing so as not to startle them.
Driving in towns
Driving in towns can be more difficult for some drivers compared to the open road or motorways.
Locals can often suddenly pull in without warning, or double park as they stop to chat to Paddy or Joe about the latest news on the local GAA team.
Towns can be busy places and traffic can build up, especially around the times schools let out or during rush hour. Yes, rush hour does and can occur even in rural Ireland.
So, again, take care and watch out for unexpected pulling in of cars and pedestrians looking to cross the road.
Parking
And following on from our last point, parking in towns can be extremely difficult. Lack of parking is a real problem in many towns in Ireland and some do not have dedicated public parking or paid car parks.
At some tourist sites, parking can be an issue during the height of the tourist season, so you should always plan to arrive early to secure your parking spot. This is important for places such as Glendalough, the Rock of Dunamase, or Tintern Abbey.
In bigger cities it may not be as much of an issue with most larger cities such as Dublin, Belfast, Limerick Cork, Galway and even Kilkenny having several large public car parks available. But this comes at a cost with some car parks charging a premium for their location near the city centre.
GPS Navigation
Not all hire cars will come with a GPS navigation system. Your best option is to use your phone’s navigation app. Just make sure to download maps directly onto your phone in case you are in an area with little or no data signal which can happen in rural Ireland.
Use Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze on your cell phone and plan your route ahead of time. Some cars will be equipped with Android Auto or Apple Carplay which will display your route on the display screen once your phone is connected to the car via a USB port.
Using your phone will also work out cheaper than hiring a GPS navigation system from your car rental company.
Weather
One thing you cannot predict or control as a driver in Ireland is the weather. Unless it has snowed heavily, driving in Ireland is fine weather-wise.
Yes, it is unpredictable and can vary from place to place, but generally Ireland has a temperate climate. What may happen is you have to drive through rain. This is not uncommon and unless it is a severe downpour, it should not impede your ability to drive.
Our advice is to slow down and take extra care to match the road conditions.
During autumn you may encounter fog, especially early in the morning and frost is common during autumn, winter and even into spring, so take care if these are the conditions you are met with.
During summer, rain showers can and do happen but driving in these conditions is not difficult.
Always check the weather forecast, local road conditions and for any warnings before starting any journey in Ireland to be on the safe side.
Gas (Petrol) Stations
Gas stations in Ireland are known as petrol stations and are common across the country. Most small towns will have at least one, many national roads will have some along them and all motorways are serviced by petrol stations, although in the last two cases, the stretches between them might be long.
Now, although petrol stations are common, you should never leave it until the last drop to decide to fill up. In rural places that are out of the way, petrol stations may be fewer than larger cities and you may find them closed early or closed completely on a Sunday or bank holiday.
The best advice we can give you is fill up your car regularly. This will mean you don’t get caught out. And avoid trying to find the cheapest prices as you may burn more fuel than necessary in your search.
Note that petrol stations in Ireland are mostly self-service meaning you fill your car and pay at the cash desk inside the station building. Most service stations are also smaller than in the US.
And whatever you do, do not fill your car with the wrong fuel. If you think you have done this, do not start your engine. Push your car to the side and call your car rental company and/or their breakdown service.
Emergencies
If you have an emergency while driving or have been involved in an accident, call 112 in the Republic of Ireland for the emergency services, or 999 in Northern Ireland.
If you have been in an accident, ask for the police and ambulance service, wait for them to arrive and move all passengers from the vehicle if you are able to and it is safe to do so, and wait in the verge behind crash barriers.
Call your car rental company as well who will inform you of the next steps and remember to take details from other vehicles involved and from the emergency services.
Bring snacks for your Irish road trips
Road tripping is the best way to explore and see Ireland, but no-one likes to be hungry while exploring. And if you happen to get lost down the country, you might not come across a town with a café, pub or restaurant for a while.
So, to avoid a hangry driver or passengers, pack some snacks and drinks in the car for those just-in-case moments. You’ll thank us later. These will also come in handy if you breakdown, which we hope does not happen.
Final thoughts about driving in Ireland as a tourist
Driving in Ireland as a tourist can be an enjoyable experience and is by far the best way to see the country. With this guide, driving a car in Ireland doesn’t need to be scary and you should now be well prepared for your road trip on the Emerald Isle.
The best way to stay safe driving for the first time in Ireland is to familiarise yourself with the manual transmission car, the opposite direction of driving, and road rules before beginning any long routes.
If necessary, have a few practice runs in the car park before you leave and have a dedicated navigator or co-pilot to help with directions.
After a few hours you’ll soon be a pro at driving on the left and within a day or two you’ll feel more like a local on the roads.
Frequently Asked Questions about driving in Ireland as a tourist
Yes, Ireland drives on the left, both in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. This is opposite to that in the US and Canada.
This is dependent on the driver and their level of confidence. While country roads can be narrow and winding, you should always drive at a pace you are comfortable with. Never allow a driver behind you to put you under pressure. Pull over, let them pass, and continue at your own pace.
Yes, it is safe to drive in Ireland. Ireland is one of the safest countries in Europe to drive in. That said, Ireland does have some roads that could be considered dangerous simply from a driving or road conditions point of view, so if you are not comfortable with how a road looks, avoid it and find another route.
No, driving in Ireland is not considered dangerous. There are some drivers who do not drive safely as there are in other countries and if you feel under pressure or panicked from someone behind you, find a safe place to pull in to allow them to pass you. Never let another driver intimidate you.
Driving in Ireland as a tourist is not difficult but can feel overwhelming or a little intimidating at first if you are used to driving on the right side of the road. Take time to adjust and get used to the other side of the road and car and you’ll soon feel more comfortable. Motorways are easy to drive on thanks to their wider lanes, but even country roads will feel more comfortable after a day or two on the island.
No left turns on red lights.
When it comes to driving in Ireland for Americans, you should be aware that here is strictly no turning left when on a red light. While it is allowed to turn right in the US on a red light if the road is clear and it is safe to do so, this is not permitted in Ireland or Northern Ireland.
A red light means stop and and you must wait until the light turn green before turning left, right or proceeding straight.
