As a visitor to Ireland who is renting a car, it is your responsibility to ensure you are up to speed with Irish driving laws. Before you head out on the open road, make sure you understand the most important rules of the road in Ireland to ensure you stay safe and within the law.
With an incredible landscape, stunning scenery and driving routes to rival the best in the world, hiring a car in Ireland is the best way to explore the country and immerse yourself in it. But, if you have never driven in Ireland before, you may not to be fully aware of the most important Irish rules of the road you should follow.
Driving in Ireland as a tourist can feel a little scary at first, but once you are aware of the important rules of the road, know what the different road signs and road markings in Ireland mean, and get that first hour of driving on the wrong side of the road out of the way, it is by far the best way to get around the Emerald Isle.
With this article you will learn some of the most important rules of the road in Ireland to better prepare you for the adventure of a lifetime.
9 Most important rules of the road in Ireland visitors need to know
When it comes to the rules of road, Ireland tends to follow most of the common international rules of the road. The basic rules of the road do not differ from other countries and most of them are common sense.
The rules of the road in Ireland apply to everyone who uses the roads including:
· Drivers of vehicles
· Pedestrians
· Motorcyclists
· Horse riders
· Cyclists
· People in charge of animals on or at the side of the road, including dog walkers.
If you are a little unsure whether the Irish road rules are the same as your home country, here are 9 of the most important driving rules of the road every road user must obey.
1 Ireland drives on the left
Unlike the United States or Canada, in Ireland, driving is on the left-hand side of the road. As a result, all cars are left-hand drive in Ireland. Visitors coming from countries that drive on the right should think of everything being a mirror image of what they are normally used to.
You should always keep to the left part of the road, especially if there are no road markings to guide you, which can happen on small country lanes.
If you need to stop or turn, remember to stay left, and look for traffic coming from the right.
2 Speed limits
The only big difference between the rules of the road in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are the speed limits and their units.
When driving in the Republic of Ireland, you will encounter speed limits (and distances) in kilometres per hour, while in Northern Ireland they are in miles per hour.
In the Republic of Ireland, the speed limits are as follows:
· 50kph (30mph) in built up, urban areas,
· 80kph (50mph) on regional and local roads that are single lane,
· 100kph (62mph) on national roads,
· 120kph (74.5mph) on motorways (Irish highways).
·
In Northern Ireland, the speed limits are as follows:
· 30mph (48kph) in built up, urban areas,
· 60mph (96kph) in rural areas,
· 70mph (112kph) on dual carriageway roads and motorways.
Note, that if you are caught going over the speed limit for the road by the Gardaí (police), you will be fined €80 and receive 3 driver penalty points.
3 Right of way
As Ireland drives on the left, all drivers must give right of way to vehicles coming from the right. This includes when turning left, entering a dual carriageway or motorway via a slip road, or when entering a roundabout.
Roundabout rules of the road say you must yield to traffic from the right, traffic already on the roundabout, and you must turn left when entering a roundabout, not right as you may be used to if you come from a country that drives on the right.
Where a road joins another, the road entering the other will often have a yield road sign at the junction that may accompany the word YIELD as a road marking on the surface of the road at the junction.
Note that any vehicle coming from the right on unmarked crossings ALWAYS have right of way as do vehicles already on a roundabout as mentioned, and you MUST give right of way to them.
4 Seat belts are mandatory
Seat belts are mandatory in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, for both the driver and all passengers. If you are the one who is driving a car in Ireland, it is you who is responsible to ensure everyone in the vehicle is wearing their seat belts at all times.
Seat belts are also mandatory for children who no longer need to use a child car safety seat or booster seat. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to sit in the front seat, and children under the age of 12 who are also under 70 pounds (36kg) or shorter than 4’11” (150cm) are required to use a child booster seat.
Note that child safety seats and booster seats must adhere to the following:
· Be appropriate for your child’s height and weight,
· Restrain them properly for the entire journey,
· Must bear an E mark (meaning that it meets United Nations Standard ECE Regulation 44.03, 44.04 or UN Regulation 129),
· Is suitable for the car you are driving.
Any driver found to not be wearing their seat belt, or to have a passenger not using their seat belt can face up to 5 driver penalty points as well as a €60 fine.
5 Mobile/cell phone use is prohibited
The use of mobile phones/cell phones is strictly prohibited while driving in Ireland.
While the use of phones via Bluetooth or hands-free technology is technically allowed, the Gardaí (police) say this is still distracting to a driver of a vehicle and they can issue fines for unsafe driving while using phones in this manner.
It is better to allow your passenger to be the navigator, even when using Google maps.
Any driver caught holding a mobile phone while driving faces a €60 fine and 3 driver penalty points.
6 Legal alcohol limits
It is an offense to drive a vehicle while under the effects of alcohol.
In Ireland, the legal alcohol drive limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood for fully qualified drivers and 20mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood for learner and new drivers as well as professional drivers. These limits are lower than many other countries where the limit can be up to 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
Drivers found to be over the limit in any capacity face heavy fines and driving bans.
It is best to not drink and drink at all in Ireland. Either abstain or leave the car at home/at your accommodation and use a taxi instead.
7 Minimum age for driving in Ireland
The legal age for driving in Ireland is 17 years of age. Anyone younger than this are not permitted to use any vehicle on public roads or public places.
Note that car rental companies in Ireland do not allow under 25s to hire cars. So, if you are travelling with anyone under 25, they will not be permitted by car rental companies to share the driving with you either, even as a second named driver.
8 Helmets are mandatory
For motorcyclists, helmets for both the rider and passenger are mandatory. Failure to wear a helmet or to carry a passenger who is not wearing one will result in a fixed penalty charge of €80.
9 Valid licence and insurance are mandatory
All drivers and motorcyclists must ensure they have a valid licence when using the road in Ireland. For those who do not have an Irish driving licence the following are permitted:
· driving in Ireland with a licence from another EU Member State,
· driving in Ireland with UK licence (see note below),
· driving in Ireland with a US license,
· driving in Ireland with Canadian license,
· driving in Ireland on Australian licence,
· driving in Ireland on another licence with an International Driving Permit (IDP).
Note, that for UK licence holders, many Irish car rental companies require a DVLA ‘check code’ to allow UK licence holders to hire a car. This ‘check code’ is valid for 21 days and allows you to share your driving record with the car hire company. This can be applied for online here.
Drivers and motorcyclist must also have valid insurance that is Third Party Only as a minimum, although it is advisable to have better.
Anyone hiring a car in Ireland will receive basic car insurance as part of their rental agreement. There will be an option to get better insurance with the company, either at the time of booking or when you arrive to pick up your car. Note that third-party insurance certificates/policies may not be accepted by your car rental company, and they may put a stop of up to €5000 on a credit card.
With My Irish Cousin, you receive full comprehensive insurance as part of your car rental agreement, so there is no need to bring additional insurance or a credit card with a balance of at least €5000.
Note that it is advisable that you carry a copy of your car rental agreement with you while driving in Ireland.
Tips for driving in Ireland as a visitor
Whether you will be driving in Ireland for the first time or not, here are a few tips to ensure your journeys are as smooth as possible.
Tips for going north and south
If you are going to be driving in Northern Ireland as well as the Republic, remember that generally the rules of the road are the same and often common sense applies.
There are a few things you should be aware of when travelling both north and south of the border.
Speed limits
As already mentioned, speed limits are indicated in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland, while they are indicated in miles per hour in Northern Ireland.
Tolls
The Republic of Ireland has tolls on many of the motorways including the M50 around Dublin. If you are arriving at Dublin Airport and heading south or west, you will pass under the M50 gantries. We have a guide on how to pay the M50 toll online to help you pay your toll.
Most toll roads in Ireland have booths to pay your toll. Just make sure to bring cash with you as many do not accept cards. An alternative is to arrange an electronic toll tag so that you can use the toll tag lanes instead of the booths.
My Irish Cousin can arrange a toll tag for your hire car prior to your arrival. The payment will be debited to the card they hold on file for the duration of your stay. Make sure to mention this at the time of booking.
Northern Ireland does not have any tolls.
Traffic light sequence
In the Republic of Ireland, the traffic light sequence is different to some other European countries including Northern Ireland. In the Republic
- A red traffic light means stop (same as elsewhere),
- A green traffic light means you can proceed,
- An amber traffic light is only ever shown from green to red and means you should prepare to stop unless it is not possible or safe to do so.
Each light is shown in sequence in the Republic of Ireland, and an amber light is only ever shown when a green light is going to red, never when red is going to green as is the case in Northern Ireland.
Road designations
In the Republic of Ireland, the roads are designated as follows:
- M = Motorways
- N = National Roads
- R = Regional or local roads
In Northern Ireland, the roads are designated as follows:
- M = Motorways
- A = primary and non-primary roads.
Warning road signs
Warning signs in the Republic of Ireland are a diamond shape with a yellow background and black symbol in the middle.
Warning road signs in Northern Ireland use the same black symbol in the middle but are triangular in shape with a red border surrounding a white background.
You should always proceed with care when you see a warning sign, either in the Republic or Northern Ireland.
Place names
In the Republic of Ireland, place names and directional signs are in both Irish and English, unless it is a Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) area, in which case they will only be in Irish.
Place names and directional signs are only in English in Northern Ireland.
Tips for Americans driving in Ireland
If you have never driven on the left-hand side of the road, hiring a smaller car may be advisable unless you really need the luggage space. Smaller cars are easier to park and are easier to navigate small country roads with.
If you are not used to driving stick (manual transmission), take your time and drive around the hire car company car park for a few minutes before leaving. Take your time and do not allow other drivers to put your under pressure.
It is highly advisable to carry a copy of your car rental agreement while using the roads in Ireland in case you need to show it to a Garda (police).
Gas stations are called petrol stations and are often smaller than US equivalents. In rural areas, gas stations are few and far between and none offer 24/7 services. Ideally, you should refill with fuel when you are at half a tank. Not all rural gas stations take cards, so ensure you have some cash.
Note that the green nozzles at gas stations in Ireland and Northern Ireland mean unleaded petrol (gasoline), not diesel as in the US.
If you realise you have filled your hire car with the wrong fuel, DO NOT start the engine. Push the car to the side and contact your rental car company immediately who will advise you of the next steps.
Take your time
When driving in Ireland you should take your time. Do not rush off motorways or main roads as smaller roads tend to be bumpy and often with potholes. Pull over and let other traffic pass you if you feel under pressure.
When driving at night, take your time and extra care, especially on unlit roads. Many will have reflective cats’ eyes on the road to guide you, but country lanes often do not.
When driving in the country, take your time around bends. It is not uncommon to encounter a tractor or animals on the road.
What to do if you breakdown or have an accident
If you have a breakdown, you should take the following steps:
- Pull your car to the side of the road or onto the hard shoulder and switch off the engine if it is still running.
- Ensure you put out your warning triangle if it is safe to do so and have your hazard warning lights on. Do not put a warning triangle in the path of cars.
- Put on your reflective yellow bib/jacket to be more visible to other drivers and remain behind the crash barrier or on the verge as far away from the road and vehicle as is possible.
- If you are carrying passengers, it is advisable that everyone exits the car and stays on the side of the road away from moving traffic, ideally behind the crash barrier if there is one or on the verge.
- Use the roadside phone if there is one which will alert the Gardaí (police) to your location. If there is no phone, find your location using your phone if you have GPS signal and give that to the emergency services when you dial 112 or 999.
- Contact your car rental company (or breakdown company if in your own car).
If you have been in an accident, stop your car. If the vehicle(s) can be driven and no Garda (police) presence is necessary, you must report the accident to the nearest Garda station.
If the accident is serious or there are injured parties or casualties, stop the car and immediately call 112 or 999 (Northern Ireland) to call for the emergency services, ensuring you give them the following information:
- Your information.
- Your location.
- Details of what happened.
- The number of injured parties or casualties.
- Which services you need.
Then you must wait for the emergency services to arrive, whether you have been the victim or cause of the accident. It is an offence to leave the scene of an accident in which you have been involved and in which emergency services are required. You should also inform your car rental company of any accident, no matter how minor.
Conclusion
If you are planning to drive in Ireland, as the driver it is your responsibility to ensure you are familiar with the most important rules of the road in Ireland and that you always adhere to them. This is for your safety, the safety of your passengers, and that of your fellow road users.
Driving in Ireland can be a pleasurable experience and is one of the best ways to explore the island. So, being prepared and knowing the basic rules of the road are a must.
Frequently Asked Questions about the driving rules in Ireland
If you have been wondering “do I need an international driver’s license in Ireland?”, then that very much depends on the country of issue of your driving licence. As mentioned already in this article, those from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australian and other EU member states do not need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive or hire a car in Ireland. Drivers from most other countries may be asked for one and you should check with your rental car company ahead of your arrival.
Yes, Ireland drives on the left-hand side of the road which is the same side as the United Kingdom.
The minimum legal age to drive in Ireland is 17 years of age, although car rental companies will not hire a car to anyone under the age of 25.
Driving in Ireland with a US license is permitted, and holders of US licences do not need an IDP to drive in Ireland. Drivers with a US licence can also drive in Ireland for up to 1 year before they are required to exchange their licence for an Irish one if remaining in the country.
You may overtake a slower moving vehicle if the road ahead and behind you is clear, the road has a broken single line and there is sufficient space in front of the car you are overtaking to move back into the lane. You should check your mirrors and blind spot to ensure another vehicle is not already trying to overtake and signal with your indicator before you pull out.
Yes, the vast majority of the rules of the road in Ireland are the same as the UK. The only noticeable difference you will see on the roads are the different warning road signs, the speed limit indications (kph for the Republic of Ireland and mph for the United Kingdom including Northern Ireland), and road signs are in both Irish and English in the Republic of Ireland.
In Ireland, which drives on the left, it is prohibited to turn left on a red traffic light. Very rarely you may see a flashing yellow arrow pointing left, which means you can turn left but only if it is safe to do so and the road is clear and there is no traffic coming from the right.
