IRELAND

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A guide to driving in
IRELAND
VISITOR INFORMATION AT A GLANCE
G The Republic of Ireland is situated in western
Europe, to the west of Great Britain.
G The population is approximately 4.5 million
G English is the official language most commonly
spoken. However, Gaelic is sometimes spoken in
areas located along the western coast.
G Ireland borders Northern Ireland, which is part
of the United Kingdom.The border stretches 360
km (224 miles).
G There are approximately 1,017 km of motor-
way in Ireland.
G Smoking is banned in all public areas of Ireland,
including all bars, nightclubs and restaurants.
G More than 40% of the Irish population resides
within 100 km of the capital city, Dublin.
G The international vehicle ID code is ‘IRE’

This document was last revised on 5 April 2011

Please see next page for comprehensive
information on specific road rules and
TISPOL’s advice on safer driving.
A guide to driving in IRELAND
Driving facts G The limit is 70 mph on motorways
G In towns and built up areas, the speed
G The minimum age for driving depends limit is usually 30 mph.
on the vehicle.

Motorcycles
G Obtaining a driving licence requires an
individual to have held a learner’s permit
for six months and completed a com- G Ireland’s National Motorcycle Action
bined practical and theory driving test. Plan, which will be in place until 2012,
G Age 16: motorcycle (max. 125cc) seeks to reduce the number of motorcy-
G Age 17: car or larger motorcycle clists killed and injured on Ireland’s roads
G Age 21: passenger vehicle with accom- each year.
modation for more than eight. G There is a target of a maximum of 20
motorcyclist fatalities annually by 2012.

Drink-drive limit: Pedestrians
G The general limit was recently
G More than two thirds of fatal pedes-
reduced from 0.8 to 0.5 BAC. trian collisions occur at night.
G Any driver caught above this limit G There was a 16% increase in the
faces a period of disqulaification number of pedestrian deaths on Irish
between one and six years. roads in 2010, compared with 2009.
G The offence of failing to provide a G One in every five people killed in
sample of blood, urine or breathn for road collisions in Ireland is a pedestrian.
eviderntial purposes attracts an auto-
matic disqualification period of four
years.
Pedal cycles
G Almost 70% of cycle collisions in
Ireland are reported to involve a car.
Annual road deaths G Left turning vehicles (most fequently
trucks) are involved in the majority of
G The number of road deaths in 2009
fatalities.
was 239, compared with 279 in 2008.

Trucks
G The 239 who died consisted of: 40
pedestrians; 7 cyclists; 128 drivers; 38
passengers and 27 motorcyclists. G Trucks entering Dublin between 7am
and 7pm must buy a permit for 5 euros.
Speed limits This will increase to 10 euros in 2012.
G The permit allows a maximum of five
G Speeds on Irish roads are measured in stops while the truck is in the city.
miles per hour. G Access to Dublin Port for trucks is
G The national speed limit in Ireland is via the Port Tunnel.
55 mph.
Road Safety Authority
Enforcement G The Irish Road Safety Authority
G The Garda National Traffic Bureau (GNTB) was established in 1997 to formu- has an excellent website, which
late policy and oversee traffic policing throughout the Republic of Ireland. includes an interactive map show-
G The Garda Traffic Corps is dedicated to the enforcement of road traffic legisla- ing locations of collisions.
tion and also to assisting the free flow of traffic.
G There are also advice sections
G The first Traffic Corps Unit was established in Dublin in 1953 and was extended
nationwide in 1973. for pedestrians, cyclists, motorcy-
GThe Traffic Corps recently underwent a significant expansion of personnel.The clists and professional drivers.
current strength stands at around 1,100 Gardaí (officers). G Visit www.rsa.ie.

Recent legislation changes
Emergency contacts
G A penalty points system for driving offences was introduced in Ireland on 31
October 2002.
G In April 2006, fixed charge fines for motorists guilty of driving offences were also In an emergency, call 112 or 999.
introduced. Police website: www.garda.ie
G By the end of December 2008, a total of 597,192 drivers in Ireland had penalty
points endorsed on their driving licences. Of that total number, 385,386 held full
driving licences, 29,999 were provisional drivers and 181,807 had no driving
licence.

Pics: Richard Sowersby, Garda, Shutterstock
A guide to driving in IRELAND
Useful regulations and advice Do you have any specific rules regard- police after a collision?
ing the carriage of dogs and other pets? If a person injured, if vehicles involved
What documents must I be able to pro- No, other than they should not cause a in collision are not insured or drivers
duce if requested by the police? distraction to the driver. will not exchange information.
Driving Licence on demand, Display
Tax Disc/Insurance Disc & NCT Disc is
applicable. Breakdown and collision advice Local knowledge

Do I need to carry a reflective jacket in Please give brief advice on what I Are there dangers to road users from
my car? If so, how many? should do if my vehicle breaks down, on wildlife? If so, in which parts of your
No. the motorway and on other roads. country?
Ring a tow truck and wait in your
Do I need to carry spare bulbs for the vehicle. There are deer in Phoenix Park, Dublin.
lights on my vehicle? If so, for which You may encounter loose horses from
lights? Please give clear advice on what I am time to time in the North Dublin area.
No. required to do if I am involved in a col-
lision. Which roads do you suggest should be
Do I need to carry spare spectacles if I If person is injured, phone Gardaí 999 or avoided by visitors (because they are
wear them for driving? Do others in the 112. Also, telephone for an ambulance. very busy at certain times, or they have
vehicle with me also need to carry spare ambulance. Wait at the scene of the col- a high collision rate)?
spectacles if they wear them for driv- lision. Do not move vehicles. M50 busy during rush hour traffic, most
ing? city centres during rush hour. Rush Hour
No. In what circumstances must I call the is from 7am-10am and from 5pm – 7pm.

Do I need to carry a fire extinguisher?
No.

Any other requirements I should be
aware of regarding the equipment or
paperwork I need for a journey in or
through your country?
Driving a hired car or a car registered in
Ireland: No.
Driving a vehicle registered in any other
country: Evidence of Insurance

And finally...
Winter driving

What items are required or recom-
mended for journeys made in winter? “Don’t miss the many Irish beauty spots especially Connemara, Co. Galway
in the West of Ireland, the Ring of Kerry, Glendalough Co. Wicklow, Bunratty
Vehicle must be in good condition i.e

Castle,The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher in Co. Clare. Also, make sure you
wipers and tyres.

visit our Medieval capital city of Dublin and our beaches of Co.
Donegal and surfers’ paradise in beautiful Bundoran.Take your
time to stop by in a sleepy village or bustling harbour to
Passengers

Is there a minimum age or height for a watch the day’s catch unload. Stay to sample the dinner
passenger to ride in the front seat? menus which you know will feature only the freshest
Children under 150cm or weighing less produce. Ireland is a paradise for an active break: walking,
golfing and fishing opportunities are all world class. Wherever
than 36kg must be appropriately

you go, whatever you choose to do, we are sure you will
restrained in a child seat. A person aged
Gabriel McIntyre
12 years or more and under 150cm must
use an appropriate child restraint in vehi- receive a ‘Cead Míle Failte’!” TISPOL, Ireland
cles fitted with Safety Belts.

What specific regulations are in place
for carrying babies and children?
Must be restrained in appropriate child
restraint systems.