Rules of the road
Make sure you know your limits before taking to the road in Ireland
Rules of the Road
As of the January 20, 2005, the measurement of speed limits on the Republic of Ireland roads changed from miles per hour (mph) to kilometres per hour (km/h). There has also been significant changes to speed limits on certain roads in the ROI along with some new vehicle speed limits.
Motorists are urged to remember the change of driving laws when crossing the border. New signs in the Republic display the new speed limits in kilometres per hour. However, motorists should also be aware that on some roads permitted speeds are now different to those in Northern Ireland.
Speed Limits (Republic of Ireland)
The maximum speed limits:
- Towns and cities 50km/h;
- regional areas and local roads (speeds displayed by white signs) 80km/h;
- national roads (displayed by green signs) 100km/h
Speed Limits (Northern Ireland)
The maximum speed limits:
- Towns and cities 30mph;
- regional/country roads 60mph
Signposts
- In the Republic, all signposts denoting distance and speed limits are now in kilometres per hour.
- In the Gaeltacht (Gaelic-speaking) areas of the Republic of Ireland, only the Irish/Gaelic versions of place names will be used on road signs and large-scale maps. Smaller scale ordnance survey maps, such as those used by tourists and currently distributed by Tourism Ireland, can carry both Irish and English versions of names. The areas in question are relatively small and with the aid of a good tourist map and the help of friendly locals, visitors should be able to navigate their way around all parts of the country without too much difficulty.
- In Northern Ireland, all signposts and speeds are in miles and place names are displayed in English.
Licence and Insurance
Visitors to Ireland should be in possession of either a full valid national driving licence or an international driving permit issued abroad. These are readily available from motoring organisations in the country of origin. If planning to bring your car to Ireland, please advise your insurance company before travelling.
Tolls
The M50 Motorway that circles Dublin operates using eFlow - the new barrier-free tolling system, which aims to make the motorway work much better for you. Overhead cameras and detectors automatically record your electronic tag or vehicle number plate, so you can pass through the toll point at normal driving speed, avoiding queues and reducing stress and frustration.
Regular users of the M50 register for Tag Registration, and tolls are deducted automatically from their account, or they pay in advance at a Payzone Station.
If you are visiting Ireland, however, and need to use the M50 East and West Link Toll, then you must pay for the journey by 8pm the following day, otherwise you will receive a penalty fine, along with the charge for the toll. For more information on how to pay the M50 barrier-free toll, log onto www.eflow.ie
