• Drivers License Requirements
• Car Insurance
• Seat Belts
• Mobile Phones
• Parking
• Roads
• Road Markings
• Road Signs
• Speed Limits
• Roundabouts
• Traffic Lights
• Yellow box junctions

If you plan to drive in Ireland, be sure to bring your common sense and leave your ego in the States. If you pay attention to what you are doing, you will arrive safely at your destination. Around major cities - such as Dublin, Cork, and Belfast – you will find an increased number of bad drivers. Be aware they are usually tourists.

Mobile phones - It is illegal to drive and use a mobile phone in Ireland. As the current law stands, a driver risks getting five penalty points and a fine of up to €1,500 if the use of a mobile phone causes careless driving. Gardaí (Police) can pursue drivers using mobile phones and charge them with careless driving even if no accident has occurred. Gardaí also have the power to check telephone records if they suspect that a driver was involved in an accident whilst using a mobile phone.

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In towns and in cities, parking is at a premium. Take notice of prohibition signs as you can be towed away. Be aware of the hours and days of parking rule enforcement as they will vary. You may see some vehicles "violating" the rules and seemingly getting away with it. Authorities may give locals a bit of leeway since some may be merchants.	Parking permitted	Parking not permitted
Many car parks have "pay and display" metres - you must get a ticket before leaving your car. The most modern machines in Dublin now accept credit cards. Some areas have "disc" parking where you buy a paper "time disc" from a local store or pay and display machine. Most car parks offer better bargins than street parking.
Double yellow lines by the kerbside indicate a parking restriction (even if there are cars parked there). Check the signs to find out if and when you can park. Note that in many towns and villages, parking restrictions may be "overlooked" after hours (when pay and display is not in force).

Roads - Click here for information on Ireland's network of roads.

	Double Solid White Lines Marked on the road surface crossing directly in front of you: mean STOP. These markings are used at Junctions, Roundabouts and where traffic on the road you are approaching has the right of way.
	Broken White Line together with a Solid White Line: Indicates that if the Broken White Line is on your side of the road you you may overtake. If the Solid White Line is on your side of the road you MAY NOT overtake.
	Double Solid White Line: Indicates that you MAY NOT overtake on either carriageway.
	Single Broken White Lines: Indicate that you may overtake only when safe to do so.
	Double Broken White Lines: Indicate Solid White Line(s) ahead
	Single Solid White Lines: Stay Left - you may NOT overtake.
	Single Yellow Broken Line on the left side of the road: Indicates a "Hard Shoulder" and may only be used to let cars pass you when the lane is clear or to stop in in the case of breakdown or emergency. This is not an additional Traffic Lane so take care when using.
	Yellow Diagonal Box in the Centre of the road: Indicates a junction and you may only enter when your exit is clear. Do not stop or park in these designated areas

120 km/h (75 mph) for motorways. 100 km/h (62 mph) for National Routes (Primary and Secondary) that are not motorway status. 80 km/h (50 mph) for other roads. 50 km/h (31 mph) in built up areas. The approach roads to 50 km/h areas are often designated with a 60 km/h speed limit regardless of the standard of road. All regional roads (except part of R132 in County Louth) and county roads have default speed limits of 80 km/h.

Click image for a larger version, suitable for printing

Speed Limits, Northern Ireland - Speed limits in Northern Ireland are measured in miles per hour. Different default speed limits apply to particular categories of roads. There are also speed restrictions for certain classes of vehicles. The standard speed limits in the Northern Ireland are:

• 70 mph for motorways.
• 62 mph for National Routes (Primary and Secondary) that are not motorway status.
• 50 mph for other roads.
• 30 mph in built up areas

The National speed limit is the speed limit on a road in Britain that is not in a 'built-up' area (i.e., those with street lights, in which case the speed limit is 30 miles per hour unless otherwise stated) or with a lower speed limit imposed.

National speed limits on roads in the UK Type of vehicle Speed limit   Single carriageway Dual carriageway Motorway Car up to 2 tonnes or motorcycle 60 mph 70 mph 70 mph Car with caravan or trailer 50 mph 60 mph 60 mph Bus or coach up to 12 m long 50 mph 60 mph 70 mph Goods vehicle up to 7.5 t 50 mph 60 mph 70 mph Goods vehicle over 7.5 t 40 mph 50 mph 60 mph

National Speed Limit sign

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Roundabouts - Click here for information on roundabouts in Ireland.

Traffic Lights - Some UK and USA drivers, who have never driven abroad, will be surprised at the traffic light sequence is different to that which they are used to seeing.

Green filters - At some traffic light junctions you will see a green filter arrow. This means that if the road is clear and it is safe, you can move off in the direction of the arrow; you can do this even if there is a red light showing for other directions.

Flashing amber filters

You may also come across flashing amber arrows;
these mean that you can proceed with caution,
but must be prepared to yield.

Yellow box junctions - Hatched yellow boxes (box junctions) are used to help prevent traffic snarl-ups at junctions. The general rule is: do not enter the box unless your exit is clear. If your exit is clear, you may wait in the box for approaching traffic to pass when turning right.

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