Ireland | Driving Tips

Distances and driving times

When planning your travel, do not under-estimate the time it will take to get between any two points!

 

Driving in Dublin - navigating by numbers

New highways construction program - project status

It is illegal to drive and use a handheld mobile phone in Ireland

European Car Safety Ratings

Real time weather sensor data from the national road network showing air and road temperature, state of road, wind speed and direction and precipitation information.   (Maps)

1. Speed limits

Special Speed Limits

The speed limit for vehicles towing trailers, caravans, etc  is 80 km/h (or less where signposted).

The speed limit for trucks (over 3.5 tonnes)  and single deck buses is 80 km/h (or less where signposted).   The speed limit for double deck buses is 65 km/h.

*A lower speed limit may be signposted where road conditions dictate

Valid: 2005.01.20

2. Caution should be exercised when driving under the influence of alcohol. The legal tolerance limit is 0.08%.

3. Wearing of seat belts is compulsory in front and rear seats.

4. Children under 12 years age not permitted in front seats.

5. It is recommended to carry breakdown warning triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher and spare bulb kit in vehicle. If you wear glasses, bring a spare pair in the car with you.

6. Minimum Driving age: 17 years.

7. Documents required when driving

8. Drive on the left and vehicle headlights should be focused accordingly.

9. Avoid accidents at traffic signals by not braking suddenly when the lights turn to amber. This note particularly applies to drivers from GB who frequently create accident situations for themselves by not adopting to the driving style of the country they are driving in.

10. Precedence

Traffic coming from the right-hand side has precedence on roundabouts (traffic rotaries)

11. Direction Sign Colo(u)rs and  Road Types

Freeways/Motorways = Blue
National Primary & Secondary routes = Green
Regional and local routes = White

In total there are some 87,400 km of highways which are classified as follows:

M routes "Motorways" M1, M4, M7, M11 and M50 - ie divided highways with 4 or more lanes together, usually with an emergency lane in either direction

National Primary Routes (N1 to N49)

National Secondary Routes (N50 to N99)

Regional Roads (R001 to R999)

Local roads (which have a four digit number which is a closely guarded state secret!)

Most national primary routes have emergency lanes on either side
 

E Routes

E01

The N1,M1, M11 and N11 form part of the E1 Trans European route which runs from Larne in Northern Ireland via Dublin down the East coast of Ireland to the Iberian Peninsula via Lisbon and ending at Seville in Southern Spain.   Total length 2509km of which 360km is on the island of Ireland.

E20 & E201

The N7, N18, and M7 form part of the E20 which runs from Shannon (CE) to Limerick to Portlaoise (where it is joined by the E201 (N8) from Cork) and on via Liverpool, Copenhagen, and Goteborg to Stockholm in Eastern Sweden.

E20

E201

E25

The N25 forms part of the E30 route which runs from Cork to Rosslare, and on to London, Hanover, Berlin, Warsaw and Minsk to Moscow and ending at Samara (kp 4,912).
 

More information on the E route system can be found here.

12. Tolls
 

Tolls are payable at two points in the Dublin area - M50 Ring Road between the N4 and N3 interchanges only and on the R131 East Link Bridge. In each case the toll is approximately € 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. Ireland's tradition of poor quality, slow, monopolistic road tolling continues at this location. Cash only. No credit cards.  More information on toll charges on this route can be found here. Further general information is available at the NRA website.

13. Automobile club breakdown services

AIT Tel 1-800 66 77 88 (0800 88 77 66 in NI)
FIA Tel 1-800 53 50 05 (0800 82 82 82 in NI)

 

14. Tips for North Americans driving in IRL for the first time

A car is the best way to see Ireland. Driving styles and regulations differ in every country. It usually takes between a few hours and a day to get used to a new driving environment, particularly if you have not driven in the country before.

15. Parking

Parking regulations are strictly enforced, particularly in Dublin city. Tow trucks and vehicle disabling programs are in operation. Parking meters operate in the downtown area - check signs for days and hours of chargeable parking specific to a location.  The typical cost € 1,30 to 1,90 per hour). Many meters are of the "Pay and Display" variety, with a single solar powered meter serving about 20 spaces. As coins are inserted, the parking expiry time for the amount inserted is displayed. When sufficient coins have been deposited, pressing the green button causes a two part ticket to be printed. The larger part should be stuck to the windshield, and the counterfoil can be retained as a reminder of when the parking expires. Disk parking operates outside the central zone and in some suburbs and many cities outside Dublin. Multi-story car parks (typi