Seatbelt Requirements
The wearing of front and rear seatbelts is compulsory when fitted.
Children Passengers
Children under 12 cannot travel in the front unless using a suitable restraint system.
Drink Driving Limits
80mg/100ml (UK 80mg/100ml)
Minimum Driving Age
The minimum driving age using a full UK licence is 17
Speed Limits
Urban kph (mph)
Open Road kph (mph)
Motorway kph (mph)
Car
50 (31)
80-100 (50-62)
120 (75)
Towing
50 (31)
80 (50)
80 (50)
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.
Lights
Dipped headlights must be used in poor daytime visibility. Motorcycles must use dipped headlights during the day at all times.
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.
Tolls
Tolls are payable at two points in the Dublin area - M50 Ring Road between the N4 and N3 interchanges only (toll EUR1.80 for cars) on the R131 East Link Bridge: €1.00 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 €1.50. Cash only. No credit cards. Further general information is available at the NRA website.
There are toll charges (c. €1.50 euro) for using the new M50 (Dublin orbital motorway) and M1 Northern Motorway.
Parking
Parking is controlled by single and double yellow lines as it is in the UK.
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 €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).
Fines
On-the-spot fines are issued for parking offences. Ensure an official receipt is issued by the officer collecting the fine.
Mobile Phones
It is illegal to drive and use a mobile phone in Ireland.
Emergency Numbers
Dial 112 anywhere in the EU to reach the emergency services.
Local numbers:
Police/Fire/Ambulance – 999
Other Useful Information
Main highways have passing lanes, separated from the main carriageway by a broken yellow line. You are expected to use this to move over and let faster traffic pass.
Horns are not to be used between 23:30 hrs and 07:00 hrs.
Useful Words and Phrases
Signs are in English, although there is also a Gaelic ‘give way’ sign, Géill Slí.
Note 1: 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. Countries outside the EU still require national identification.
Note 2: Regardless of local requirements it is always a wise precaution to carry a spare set of vehicle bulbs and adjust headlamp beams for driving on the right. A spare bulb kit will not prevent a fine if you are travelling with faulty lights, but it may avoid the cost and inconvenience of a garage call out. On some cars it is inadvisable or impossible for anyone other than a qualified technician to change a headlamp bulb or lamp unit e.g. high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and carrying spare bulbs is not an option. However, it is recommended that spare bulbs are carried for any lights which may be easily and/or safely replaced by the owner/driver. Do not forget to ensure that you also carry any tools that might be required to change the various bulbs.
Disclaimer EUroadlegal has made every effort to ensure that the information contained on this page is accurate and up-to-date. In most instances the information has been collated from either an official document from the country concerned or from two or more reliable sources. EUroadlegal cannot be held responsible for any actions resulting from the adherence to or ignoring of the information contained on this page. If you would like to contribute by adding, removing or modifying the data on this page based on your own experience, please us.
IRELAND – drives on the left
