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Self-Drive
Motoring holidays in Ireland.
Tips on driving abroad
in Ireland. Motoring rules and regulations in the Republic of Ireland. Irish
motoring laws.
International Driving Permit
Interactive Route
Planner
Relative Carbon
Emissions
Buy Road Maps of Ireland
In Ireland you drive on the left -
just like in the UK!
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Ireland
has similar drink driving laws to the UK, only allowing 0.8 milligrams of
alcohol per millilitre of blood.
-
Seat belts front and rear are
obligatory everywhere.
-
Speed limits, shown below, are
implemented rigorously. Radar traps are frequent.
-
Ireland has
changed to the metric system for road signs, so be prepared for distance and
speed limit signs in kilometres.
Motoring regulations and laws in Northern Ireland are the same
as in the mainland of Great Britain. Below are motoring regulations relating
to the Republic of Ireland. In all countries a full UK driving licence is
required.
|
Speed limits |
Motorway |
Open Road |
Town |
Alcohol mg/ml |
|
Ireland |
120 km/h |
100 km/h (see notes) |
50 km/h |
0.8 |
|
With trailer |
80 km/h |
80 km/h |
50 km/h |
|
Children
in cars: Children under 12 cannot travel in the front unless using a
suitable restraint system.
Documentation: always carry your driving licence,
vehicle registration document (V5), and certificate of motor insurance. If your
licence does not incorporate a photograph ensure you carry your passport to
validate the licence. If the vehicle is not registered in your name, carry a
letter from the registered owner giving you permission to drive.
Drinking
and driving: Don't do it. Over 0.08 per cent and you could face anything up
to imprisonment.
Fines: On the spot fines are issued for parking offences. Ensure an
official receipt is issued by the officer collecting the fine.
First-aid kit is advised, but not compulsory.
Fuel:
All grades of petrol, diesel and LPG are available as well as lead replacement
petrol (LRP). It is allowed to carry petrol in a can. Credit and debit cards are
widely accepted. It's a good idea to let your card issuer know you will be
travelling abroad. This ensures they don't suspend your card if they spot it
being used in unfamiliar places, which they sometimes do as an anti-fraud
measure.
GB sticker: UK
registered vehicles displaying Euro-plates (circle of 12 stars above the
national identifier on blue background) no longer need a GB sticker when
driving in European Union countries.
Headlamp converters are not required for GB cars as
in Ireland you drive on the left.
Horns not to be used between 23:30 hrs and 07:00
hrs.
Lights:
dipped headlights must be used in poor daytime visibility. Motorcycles must use
dipped headlights during the day at all times.
Minimum
age for driving, provided you hold a full UK licence, is 17 for a car and
for a motorcycle over 125cc.
Mobile
phones: it is illegal to drive and use a
mobile phone in Ireland.
Motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear crash helmets.
Motor insurance: third-party insurance is compulsory. A green card is not
required but your insurer should be advised of your trip.
Parking: Parking
regulations are strictly enforced, particularly in Dublin city. Tow trucks and
vehicle disabling programs are in operation. Parking meters operate in the
centre. The typical cost is euro 1,30 to 1,90 per hour. Disk parking operates
outside the central zone and in some suburbs and many cities outside Dublin.
Some multi-storey car parks accept credit cards. You can also charge your on
street car parking to your mobile phone account using
mPark (registration
required).
Seat belts are compulsory for front and
rear seat occupants, if fitted.
Speed limits:
Limits on major roads outside built-up areas vary from 60 - 100 km/h - look for
signs.
Tolls: are payable
at two points in the Dublin area - M50 Ring Road between the N4 and N3
interchanges only (toll euro 1.80 for cars)
on the R131 East Link Bridge: euro1.00 for cars, with higher tolls for vans and
trucks.
Tolls are being introduced on some new motorways, for example the E1 (M1) route
which connects Dublin and Belfast. The toll charge for cars is euro1.50. Cash
only. No credit cards. Further general information is available at the
NRA website.
Visibility Vests are now compulsory in
Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Norway, Portugal and Spain (and likely to
become compulsory throughout the EU). The rules vary
from country to country concerning number of vests required and whether they
should be carried in the car or boot. Common sense suggests that there should be
a vest for every occupant, and that the vests should be carried in the car,
and put on before getting out. Do this and
you will not have a problem.
Warning triangle is recommended.
BACK TO TOP
All information on this page is provided as a
service to our clients. It is intended as a guide to the more important rules
for the different countries to which we offer driving holidays. It is not meant
to be a comprehensive document. We try and keep the information on this page
up-to-date, but we cannot be held responsible in any way for any consequences
arising from any inaccuracies. If you find a mistake or would like to send us
some additional information, please email
us. Your co-operation is appreciated.
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