Driving in Ireland

General

All traffic in Ireland drives on the LEFT hand side of the road. Most cars are equipped with manual transmissions (stick shift). Rental of automatic transmissions is normally more expensive.

Many visitors are not used to the narrowness of Irish roads. Rest assured that there is almost always room for two vehicles and that speed is often the cause of mishaps. Take the road at a speed you are comfortable with, even if that is on the slow side. Irish drivers are used to long queues. If at all in doubt, then stop.

Speed Limit

The general speed limit is 60 m.p.h. on main roads. In built-up and urban areas there are normally a 40 m.p.h. buffer zone before a 30 m.p.h. urban limit. Other zones are clearly marked. On the country’s few motorways the speed limit is 70 m.p.h.

Camera technology is widely used, including in 30 m.p.h. zones, and fines (starting at €80) will be charged to your credit card.

City Driving

City driving in Ireland is no different to any other city. Signposting in Ireland is often poor (especially around Dublin) and it is therefore important to have a good idea of how you are getting to where you are going before you go!

Roundabouts

Roundabouts are a method of improving traffic flow by replacing traffic lights. Traffic flows in a clockwise direction. As with all other driving in Ireland the overriding requirement is to take care – take it as slowly as required until you are used to the concept.

When approaching a roundabout you must stop before entering the roundabout. You must then give way to all traffic already on the roundabout (i.e. coming from your right). Do not enter the roundabout until it is safe to do so.

In general approach a roundabout in the left hand lane if you are turning left, the right hand lane if you are turning right. In general you use the left hand lane if you are proceeding ‘straight’ through the roundabout, though many roundabout approaches have lane markings that will guide the lane required.

Never stop on a roundabout. This is the cause of many tourist accidents in Ireland. If you are unsure about an exit to take, or have missed your exit then there is a simple solution. Keep going around the roundabout until you are sure or until you reach the correct exit again. Never switch lanes suddenly because you have spotted your exit, keep going around.

Some roundabouts are poorly marked and some are just small raised bumps in the centre of the road. Please be on the look out for the roundabout ahead road signs.

Finally, there are also traffic-light controlled roundabouts! Obey the traffic lights at these roundabouts.

Distance Signposts

Ireland has two types of distance signposts. The newer, more modern signs are green and the distances marked are in Kilometres. Older signs are white and the distances marked are in miles. To convert kilometres to miles, divide by 8 and multiply by 5 (i.e. 16 km = 10 miles). The milometer in most cars measures in miles!

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