Understanding Irish Driving Rules and Regulations

Whether you’re a seasoned driver who knows the many roads of Ireland like the back of your hand, a visiting tourist, or a new resident to the country, it’s hugely important to know the rules for driving in Ireland for your own safety and the well-being of others. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of essential driving rules and regulations in Ireland, from speed limits and drink driving laws to licensing requirements and penalty points, ensuring you're well-prepared to navigate the Emerald Isle with confidence.

Speed Limits 

By 2025, Ireland’s speed limits will have dramatically reduced, per a new government initiative seeking to prevent fatalities on Irish roads. 

Currently, the breakdown is as follows:

• 120 kilometres per hour on motorways
• 100 kilometres per hour on national roads
• 80 kilometres per hour on rural / local roads
• 50 kilometres per hour on urban roads

As part of the Road Traffic Bill 2024, default speed limits on national secondary roads will be cut from 100 kilometres per hour to 80 kilometres per hour, from 80 km/h to 60 km/h on rural or local roads, and from 50 km/h to 30 km/h on roads in developed or urban areas. 

Research has illustrated that a large majority of Irish road fatalities (as much as 73% between 2017 and 2021) have taken place on rural roads with limits of 80 km/h or above, while urban roads with limits of 60 k/mh or less made up just over half of reported serious injuries in the same period. 

A large majority of deaths – 73 per cent in 2017-2021 – occurred on rural Irish roads with limits of 80km/h or more. Urban roads of 60km/h or less account for just over half of serious injuries.

As for the timeline rollout of the new limits, the 80 km/h to 60 km/h on rural and local roads is set to come into effect from November, with the remaining changes expected in the new year. 

Drink Driving Limit

What is the drink driving limit in Ireland? A question that every responsible driver should know the answer to, and indeed adhere to. 

As continually underlined by outlets like An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority of Ireland, and Drinkaware, alcohol consumption and driving are not recommended companions.  It is a criminal offence to operate a vehicle in Ireland if your control is impaired due to the use of alcohol or drugs. 

Currently, the drink driving limit in Ireland is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. However, for “specified drivers”, a lower limit of 20mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood applies. Specified drivers include learner drivers, novice drivers, and professional/commercial drivers. 

The maximum penalty for drink driving is a fine of €5,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to six months. All drink driving offences result in a three-month driving ban from Irish roads. 

Read: Top Causes of Car Accidents in Ireland

Driving Age

What age can you drive in Ireland? Another perfectly reasonable yet vital question. According to official government guidelines, you must be at least 17 years of age in order to be eligible to drive a motorised vehicle in the Republic of Ireland. 

Learner Drivers

The first step for any new driver aged 17 or over in Ireland is to apply for and pass the official driver’s theory test. 

Once you have overcome that hurdle, the next move is to apply for a learner’s permit at a cost of €35. You must then hold this permit for a minimum of six months before you may complete a full driving test. 

Rules and Restrictions for Learner Drivers

• A learner permit does not represent a full driving licence, so don’t forget that. 
• Learner drivers must be accompanied by a fully qualified driver.
• They must display ‘L’ plates while driving. 
• Can learner drivers drive on dual carriageways in Ireland? Yes. However, driving on a motorway is not permitted for learner drivers. 
• A learner driver is forbidden from carrying a passenger for payment or reward.
• Learner drivers are not allowed to tow a trailer behind their vehicle. 
• As noted above, a learner driver is subject to a lower drink driving limit. 
• Learner drivers are also subject to a lower penalty point threshold - seven penalty points accrued over three years is enough to receive a six-month driving ban.
• As of summer 2024, new laws have been approved to stop motorists taking advantage of a pre-existing loophole that allowed them to repeatedly apply for learner permits without having to sit a driving test. 

Driving Licences

Is an international driving licence valid in Ireland? Yes, but there are limitations to consider. 

You may drive in Ireland with a valid European Union / European Economic Area (EU/EEA) licence until it expires. However, your next driving licence must be an official Irish one. 

Visitors can drive on a licence from outside the EU/EEA for a period of up to one year, as long as the licence is both current and valid. 

Beyond that and should you take up normal residence in Ireland, the previous licence must be replaced with a new one or exchanged for an Irish licence.

If you don’t hold a valid EU/EEA licence, a current national driving licence and valid international driving permit are acceptable for driving in Ireland on a temporary basis for up to 12 months. 

Terms and conditions on how to exchange licences are available via the Road Safety Authority.

Left-Hand vs Right-Hand Drive

Yes, we drive on the left-hand side of the road in Ireland. But can you drive a left-hand drive car in Ireland? Yes, as long as it complies with statutory regulations. 

Should you wish to modify your vehicle by changing the steering wheel from one side to the other, it is strongly recommended that you contact the manufacturer and/or authorised distributor before attempting any such alteration. 

If registering a left-hand drive vehicle in Ireland, contact the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. 

Penalty Points

Nobody wants these, so do your utmost to ensure you don’t receive any. 

As the name implies, penalty points are issued when the rules of the road are breached. Introduced in 2002, Ireland’s penalty points system was designed to deter drivers from improper behaviour and, in the process, reduce the amount of fatalities and injuries on Irish roads. 

Penalty points are recorded on a driving licence record if the driver is convicted of an offence that acquires penalty points, or if the driver is served with a fixed charge notice for an alleged offence that attracts penalty points and the driver opts to pay the accompanying fine. 

If the fine is not paid, the matter will be referred to the courts, which may result in a higher number of penalty points than the original number issued at the time of the alleged offence. 

Driving penalty points in Ireland come with major potential consequences. Any fully qualified driver that accumulates 12 penalty points within a three-year period will be automatically disqualified from driving on Irish roads for six months. 

As noted earlier, the threshold is different for learner drivers, and for novice drivers, also. In such cases, it only takes seven penalty points built up over a three-year period to receive the same six-month ban. 

If you find yourself subject to a driving ban, you are required by law to surrender your licence to the National Driver Licence Service within 14 days of the ban coming into effect. Failure to surrender your licence is deemed a criminal offence, as is driving while disqualified. 

Additional Resources 

• Road Safety Authority of Ireland (RSA)
• An Garda Síochána Rules of the Road
• Department of Transport
• Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII)
• Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)
• Citizens Information

Conclusion

Driving in Ireland offers a unique opportunity to explore the country's hidden gems and breathtaking landscapes. By familiarising yourself with the rules and regulations outlined in this guide, you can embark on your Irish adventure with peace of mind. Remember, responsible driving ensures not only your safety but also the well-being of others sharing the road.

And for added peace of mind, be sure to explore AIG's range of comprehensive car insurance options tailored to your specific needs.