Driving in Ireland

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 7 min read

Ireland is one of Europe's most rewarding road trip destinations — wild Atlantic coastline, quiet country roads, market towns and Ring of Kerry singletrack where you may meet a flock of sheep before you meet another car. Like the UK, Ireland drives on the left, and speed limits mix metric on Republic of Ireland roads with imperial in Northern Ireland. Once you have adjusted to the left, the roads are excellent and the distances deceptively manageable.

Driving on the left

The Republic of Ireland, like Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, drives on the left side of the road. For most visitors from mainland Europe, North America or Asia, this is the biggest adjustment. See our guide to countries that drive on the left for adjustment tips — particularly for the first few hours after landing.

Key things to remember:

• Overtake on the right (you are now driving on the left, so the right side is the "outside")
• At roundabouts, give way to traffic approaching from the right
• When turning from a junction, take care not to default to the right-hand lane out of instinct
• Right-hand-drive vehicles (most hire cars will be right-hand-drive) fit naturally with driving on the left, so hired cars in Ireland will feel more natural than driving your own continental car

Documents and what to carry

EU/EEA licences are accepted in Ireland. UK licences are also fully valid. Drivers from outside the EU/EEA should check whether they need an International Driving Permit — Ireland recognises licences from many countries but an IDP is the safest addition for non-European licence holders.

Irish law requires you to carry your driving licence, vehicle registration and insurance documents. There is no legal requirement to carry a warning triangle or high-visibility vest in the Republic, but if you are driving your own vehicle from the Continent, you may need them in other countries you pass through.

Speed limits

The Republic of Ireland uses km/h for speed limits (since metrication in 2005):

• Motorways: 120 km/h
• National primary and secondary roads: 100 km/h (N roads)
• Regional and local roads: 80 km/h
• Built-up areas: 50 km/h; 30 km/h in designated slow zones near schools and residential streets

Northern Ireland uses mph: 70 mph on motorways and dual carriageways, 60 mph on rural roads, 30 mph in towns. This switch — metric south of the border, imperial north of it — can be disorienting if you cross the border. Watch the signs.

Speed cameras (including average-speed sections) are used in the Republic. Penalty points apply to Irish licences; foreign drivers may receive fines. Irish roads are primarily enforced by An Garda Síochána, who also carry out random checkpoint stops.

The M50 e-toll and other tolls

Ireland has a modest toll road network. The most important for visitors is the M50 Dublin Ring Road, which uses a barrier-free electronic tolling system: there are no booths and no cash payment. All vehicles must pay online, either before or by midnight the day after passing through, via the eflow.ie website or app. Foreign vehicles must register and pay — there is no physical collection point. Fines for non-payment are issued to the registered keeper.

Other tolled roads in Ireland include sections of the M1 (Dublin–Belfast), M4, M6, M7 and several tunnels including the Dublin Port Tunnel and the Jack Lynch Tunnel in Cork. Most use traditional toll booths accepting cash and card, but some also have barrier-free lanes. See our guide to motorway tolls.

Rules of the road

Ireland drives on the left. Key specifics:

• Alcohol limit: 50 mg per 100 ml blood (0.5 g/l) for most drivers; 20 mg/100 ml for learner drivers and professional drivers. Mandatory breathalyser tests at roadside checkpoints are common.
• Mobile phones: Handheld use is illegal, including at standstill in traffic. Hands-free is permitted.
• Learner plates: Irish learner drivers (L plates) must be accompanied — do not be surprised to see L-plated vehicles on main roads; unlike the UK, learner drivers in Ireland can drive on most roads with a licenced driver accompanying them.
• Animals: Ireland's rural roads regularly host cattle and sheep on unfenced roads, particularly in the west and on islands. Livestock on the road are a genuine hazard — especially at dawn, dusk and on narrow country roads.
• Children: Must use an appropriate child seat until they are 150 cm tall or 12 years old.

The border with Northern Ireland

There are no passport checks or physical border infrastructure between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland — the Common Travel Area means the border is invisible on the road. You will notice you have crossed mainly from the change in road signs: km/h to mph, and Irish-language signage disappearing.

Insurance is the key consideration: your vehicle insurance must be valid in both jurisdictions. Most UK and Republic of Ireland policies cover both automatically, but if you are bringing a vehicle from mainland Europe, check with your insurer. For visitors renting a car, most rental companies in the Republic permit driving in Northern Ireland — confirm at the desk.

Country roads and rural driving

Many of Ireland's most scenic routes — the Wild Atlantic Way, the Ring of Kerry, Connemara and the Causeway Coastal Route — include very narrow roads. Some are one-lane with passing places; others are technically two-lane but feel considerably narrower. Local driving customs include:

• The two-finger wave (lifting two fingers off the steering wheel) as a courtesy to oncoming drivers — particularly common in rural areas
• Reversing to a gateway or passing place for oncoming traffic, especially for larger vehicles such as campervans
• Slower driving is expected on narrow county roads — do not drive to the signed limit on roads where the surface or width does not support it

Wild Atlantic Way touring is best done with a campervan or a compact hire car — large SUVs and motorhomes struggle on the narrowest lanes.

Fuel and electric vehicles

Petrol and diesel are available throughout Ireland, though prices in rural and island areas can be significantly higher than in cities. In Northern Ireland, fuel is generally somewhat cheaper than in the Republic due to different tax rates.

EV charging has expanded rapidly. The ESB (Electricity Supply Board) operates an extensive public charging network across the Republic; fast chargers are now available in most towns and along main routes. Rural coverage is improving but not yet universal — plan EV journeys carefully if venturing into isolated western areas.

Hiring a car in Ireland

Car hire in Ireland is available at Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Belfast (both airports) and other locations. Ireland can be competitive on car hire pricing, but watch for hidden extras: excess liability waiver, additional drivers and young driver supplements are common. If you are under 25, options may be limited and surcharges significant. Most standard hire cars can be taken into Northern Ireland — confirm this explicitly, as some budget operators restrict it.

For full guidance on what to check before signing, see our car hire abroad guide.

Frequently asked questions

Do I drive on the left in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland?

Yes. Both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland drive on the left. Speed limit signs switch from km/h (Republic) to mph (Northern Ireland) at the invisible border, but the side of the road stays the same throughout the island.

How do I pay the M50 toll in Dublin?

The M50 is a barrier-free electronic toll road — there are no booths. You must pay online at eflow.ie before or by midnight the day after you use the road. Foreign visitors should register their vehicle on the site. Failure to pay results in a penalty notice issued to the vehicle's registered keeper.

Can I take my hire car into Northern Ireland?

Most car hire companies in the Republic of Ireland permit driving into Northern Ireland — but confirm this in writing at the desk. Budget or independent operators may restrict cross-border use. Check that your insurance covers both jurisdictions.

Are there any passport checks at the Irish border?

No. The border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland is open with no immigration checks for most travellers, maintained by the Common Travel Area arrangement between Ireland and the UK. You will notice the crossing only from road signs and the change from euros to pounds sterling.