Whether you have been to Ireland many times or you plan to make your first trip, it’s important to know how best to negotiate Ireland’s roads. To ensure a safe and enjoyable trip, we have put together a handy guide to driving in Ireland. Please note, the authority on driving in Ireland is the Road Safety Authority (RSA), please refer to them for full information & safety guidelines.
When I was learning to drive here in Ireland, I would say to myself ‘left is the best’ every time I got into the car, as I was petrified that I would drive on the wrong side of the road. So remember my silly rhyme while you are in Ireland to remember that we drive on the left!
Ireland is known for its spectacular scenery, its wild Atlantic Ocean views and majestic mountain passes. Ireland is not known however for its great directional signage! Some roads are aptly signposted, more have too many signs that you can’t read them all and some roads simply don’t have anything! This is something we complain about frequently and improvements have been made in the last number of years. The best thing to do is to prepare yourself:
Buy a good road-map; the bookshops at the airport usually have up-to-date maps. Check the publication date and buy the one that was printed most recently.
Plan out your route in advance and have a general idea of where you need to go. We provide a detailed itinerary with our self-drive tours of Ireland that usually has a number of ways to get to your destination and should help you plan. If you want to make things very easy for yourself, invest in GPS before you go.
We know roundabouts are relatively scarce in some countries, but in Ireland prepare to encounter quite a few! Don’t be scared though, roundabouts are generally harmless and easy to navigate once you are familiar with them.
The first thing to do is be prepared. Know where you are going so that you can get into the correct lane.
Always Yield to traffic approaching from your right and traffic that is already on the roundabout.
**Read the signs on approach, sometimes the lane rules above are changed and signposts approaching the roundabout will tell you where to go***
You will find some of Ireland’s best scenery as you drive our narrow country roads. Here are some things to be aware of as you travel;
Extra care needs to be taken when there is no white line in the centre of the road. You need to use your personal judgement, sometimes there is enough space for two cars at either side of the road and sometimes there will only be space for one car and one of you will need to give right of way. Either way, drive slowly, especially around bends where there may be oncoming traffic, cyclists or walkers.
Take caution with the speed limits. Sometimes there are speed limits on roads that just don’t make sense, like the road below in Dursey Island. Use your judgement.
Where there is not enough space for two cars you will notice lay by areas at the side of the road like the one pictured. If the lay-by is closest to you on your left, you need to pull in here and leave the other car pass you by. If the layby is behind you, you may have to reverse. If there is no layby, you may need to use the entrance to a house or farm. Take your time, use your mirrors and be very careful. Watch out for signs in the area telling you want to do.
Remember, if you are nervous driving on our very narrow roads, you can always pre-book a day long coach tour in some of our top driving routes like the Dingle Peninsula & Ring of Kerry. For more information, please contact us.
Its not uncommon to see sheep, cows, horses and other animals trotting along the road. Chances are, if you see sheep alongside a mountain road, you will meet them further along the road! We also get a lot of cyclists and walkers and there aren’t usually cycle lanes and footpaths, so take care, especially in the countryside.
Pay attention to the signs where you are located. Don’t park beside a double yellow line and don’t park in a yellow grid box.
Where possible choose a car park, we have plenty. Watch for signs telling you how to pay. Sometimes you need to purchase a parking disk (just ask where to buy, in the closest shop) and sometimes you need to pay in advance and display a parking ticket.
If you have a disability, European Parking Cards (also known as Disabled Parking Permits) can be used by disabled people within the 25 member states of the EU. If you are visiting Ireland or are from outside of the EU you should bring your Disabled Parking Permit/European Parking Card with you. Your Disabled Parking Permit/European Parking Card should be visibly displayed in your parked car.
If you meet a stranger coming towards you on a quiet country road and they give you a pleasant wave, don’t be alarmed! We are a friendly bunch and it not uncommon to wave at total strangers!
If you pull into the slow lane to let a car pass you out, if they flash their back lights this means ‘hey, thanks a lot’! If you see someone flashing their lights as you drive towards them it means either there is some kind of danger nearby or the Gardaí are checking for speeding cars up ahead! (By the way, flashing your lights to tell people Gardaí are nearby is illegal so don’t do it yourself).
Des Bishop does a good comedy routine about Ireland’s driving communications. Check it out here:
Some handy websites for more information on driving in Ireland –
