Driving In Ireland

Basic Legal Requirements

Driving Licence

You should take your full UK driving licence - the Photocard plus the Paper Counterpart (D740) if you have one.

You must be the holder of a full driving licence (not a provisional), and have passed your test. The International Driving Permit is not required.

While a photocopy may be useful if your licence is lost, you should carry the original with you.

Car Documents

You should carry your vehicles Registration Certificate (V5C) with you, which should be updated to show your correct details. For security reasons, it's best NOT to leave the Registration Certificate in the vehicle while it is parked - it makes it harder to a thief to resell the vehicle if they do not have the documentation.

While a photocopy may be useful if your Registration Certificate is lost, you should carry the original with you.

Insurance

It is compulsory to have at least third- party insurance for Ireland, as for the UK. Most UK insurance policies will allow an element of European driving, often for a limited period.

Before leaving the UK, it is a good idea to contact your insurer, and check what your existing cover allows. You should request a 'Green Card' which is an internationally recognised form of proof of insurance. You should carry proof of insurance with you while driving. You may also need to arrange insurance for any trailers.

If your existing insurance does not provide European cover for the period required, most insurance brokers will have a suitable policy covering Ireland, and will provide Green Card.

Your Vehicle

There is no need to adjust your headlights as you will be driving on the left!

A Warning Triangle is recommended, but not required. . In the event of an accident or breakdown, the triangle should be set up by the side of the road, at least 50 meters in the direction of of the traffic. If you have broken down in the outer lane of a dual carriageway or motorway, or attempting to place the warning triangle would place you in danger, do not use it. Remember to collect your warning triangle before leaving!

Children under 36Kg(around 12 years) must use an appropriate child seat, booster seat or modification. All passengers must use seat belts if fitted

You may have a number plate that already has a valid 'GB' mark. If you do not, you will need to apply a GB sticker to the back of your vehicle.

There is a no requirement to carry a first aid kit or a fire extinguisher, but they are generally a useful safety items to carry in your vehicle if you have the space.

It is recommended (but not required) that you carry a spare bulb kit suitable for your vehicle. While HID bulbs last longer than their halogen counterparts, it makes sense to carry at least one spare Xenon HID bulb suitable for your headlights.

Driving - Legal Requirements

Lights

You must use headlights at night, but there are no other requirements.

Speed Limits

Speed limits can be modified by local signs, but the usual ones are:

• Built- up areas: 31 mph or 50 km/h
• Outside built- up areas: 62 mph or 100 km/h
• Motorways: 74 mph or 120 km/h

Traffic Priorities

Traffic priorities are as in the UK - traffic on a main road has priority over traffic joining, unless otherwise indicated. Traffic on a roundabout has priority over traffic trying to join the roundabout.

Helmets

Helmets are compulsory at all times for scooters, mopeds and motorcycles. Visors should not have a tint of more than 50%.

Overtaking

Overtaking is only on the right (the outside lane) on all roads.

Warning with Horn and Lights

As in the UK you should not use the horn and headlights except to warn of danger, but they are often used to indicate frustration, greetings and similar.

Flashing headlights are often used to indicate the vehicle is giving way.

GPS, Speed Cameras and Phones

It is an offence to use a hand- held mobile phone in Ireland while driving. You can OWN a radar detector, but not have one active in the vehicle. GPS units can show speed camera positions.

Alcohol

Drink driving in Ireland is the same as the UK. 80mg or more alcohol per 100ml of blood will result in a fine, points or a ban. Significantly more will result in much larger fines and likely loss of your licence.

Be aware that you may still have alcohol in your blood if you have been drinking the evening before.

Police and Fines

Police in Ireland can issue on the spot fines for speeding, parking and other offences. You should not pay the fine to the officer, but have to make a payment within 21 days. You may also receive a fine by post, which has to be paid within 28 days.

Driving Tips

• Signs are generally the same as their UK equivalents.
• Petrol (92 and 98 Ron), diesel and LPG are widely available. UK Credit and debit cards are widely accepted.
• Leaded petrol is not available. The best option may be to take along supplies of fuel additive, although this is available locally.
• Spares and parts for vehicles are generally available much as the UK. It is worth checking the basic wear items like tyres, brakes and windscreen wipers, and carry a spare bulb kit and fuses suitable for your vehicle. Remember to check the spare wheel or inflation kit as well.
• If you have UK breakdown assistance, it may well provide limited European cover. If it does not (or you do not have breakdown cover) consider getting this for the duration of your holiday. Recovering your vehicle from Ireland could be expensive, and repairing it locally may be difficult to arrange.
• Road conditions are varied throughout Ireland. Upgraded headlight bulbs or Xenon HID headlight conversion give longer viewing distances at night on dark roads at night
• Ireland is still largely rural, so expect farm vehicles, animals and mud on the roads. Narrow roads and limited visibility means care should be taken at all times.

Useful Links

• European travel equipment: Autobulbs European driving accessories and spare bulbs
• DiscoverIreland: Official Tourist website for visitors to Ireland
• Wikipedia.org/Ireland: Wikipedia entry on Ireland