IrelandIreland

Drive on the left and normally overtake on the right.

Call 999 or 112 for emergency police, ambulance, fire or Coast Guard assistance.

The maximum blood-alcohol concentration is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood for most fully licensed drivers. A lower limit of 20 mg per 100 ml applies to learner, novice and professional drivers.

The general maximum speed in urban areas is 50 km/h, unless signs indicate another limit. Lower limits, particularly 30 km/h, are increasingly used in residential areas, town centres, school areas and other locations.

Since February 2025, the default maximum speed on many rural local roads is 60 km/h, reduced from 80 km/h. These roads are generally identified by an L road number or may be unnumbered, and posted signs must always be followed.

The general maximum speed on regional roads is 80 km/h, unless signs indicate another limit.

The general maximum speed on national roads is 100 km/h, unless a lower limit is indicated.

For passenger cars, the general maximum speed on motorways is 120 km/h, unless signs indicate another limit.

Road speeds and modern speed-limit signs in Ireland use kilometres per hour (km/h). This changes when crossing into Northern Ireland, where speed limits are displayed in miles per hour.

No. Ireland has no nationwide motorway vignette. Most roads are free to use, but tolls are charged on several motorways, bridges and tunnels.

The M50 uses barrier-free electronic tolling between Junction 6 and Junction 7. There is no toll booth. Drivers without a registered toll account or tag must arrange payment, normally by 20:00 on the day after using the tolled section.

There is no general requirement for every car to use dipped headlights throughout normal daylight. Daytime running lights may operate automatically where fitted, and the Road Safety Authority recommends using dipped headlights during the day if the vehicle does not have daytime running lights.

No. There is no general legal requirement to fit winter tyres during a particular season. Drivers must nevertheless ensure that their tyres are roadworthy and drive appropriately for ice, snow, rain and other conditions.

Seat belts must be worn by drivers and passengers where they are fitted, subject to limited legal exemptions.

Children under 150 cm in height or 36 kg in weight must generally use an appropriate child-restraint system when travelling in a car or goods vehicle, other than where a specific exemption applies.

No. A rear-facing child restraint must not be used in front of an active frontal airbag. The airbag must be deactivated before such a restraint is fitted there.

Motorcycle riders and passengers must wear a properly fastened approved crash helmet whenever travelling on a motorcycle.

No. There is no general legal requirement for ordinary cyclists to wear a helmet, although the Road Safety Authority strongly recommends wearing one.

No. It is illegal to hold a mobile phone while driving. Drivers must remain in proper control of the vehicle even when using permitted hands-free equipment.

When approaching a roundabout, drivers must generally give way to traffic coming from the right or traffic already on the roundabout, unless road signs, markings or traffic signals indicate otherwise.

At a zebra crossing, drivers must give way to pedestrians waiting to cross or who have already started crossing. Drivers should approach crossings at a speed that allows them to stop safely.

Drivers must allow at least 1 metre when overtaking a cyclist in a speed zone of 50 km/h or lower and at least 1.5 metres where the speed limit is above 50 km/h.

No. A category B learner driver may not drive on a motorway. Learners must also display L-plates and be accompanied by a qualified driver who has held a full licence in the same category for more than two years.

For the first two years after receiving their first full driving licence, novice drivers must display N-plates. They are also subject to the lower 20 mg per 100 ml blood-alcohol limit and a lower penalty-point threshold for disqualification.

Red means stop. Amber also means stop and drivers must not cross the stop line, unless they are already so close when the light changes that stopping would be dangerous.

No. The motorway hard shoulder should only be used in an emergency. If a vehicle breaks down, move onto the hard shoulder where possible, seek assistance and wait in a safe place behind the barrier.

The Road Safety Authority recommends carrying a warning triangle, first-aid kit, fire extinguisher and spare-bulb kit. These are recommended safety items rather than a general mandatory equipment set for private cars.