Country driving guide
Driving rules in Ireland
A practical summary of the main rules that may differ when you cross the border. The values below come from the official source linked on this page — the standardized Your Europe country page or the national law or authority.
Source-backedTypical passenger-car speed limits
- Built-up areas
- 50 km/h
- Outside built-up areas
- 80 / 100 km/h
- Motorways / expressways
- 120 km/h
Blood alcohol limits
- Standard drivers
- 0.5 mg/ml
- Novice drivers
- 0.2 mg/ml
- Professional drivers
- 0.5 mg/ml
Lights, winter rules and equipment
- Daytime lights
- Daytime running lights required as vehicle equipment on newer cars The source states that all new cars must have daytime running lights, mandatory since 2011.
- Winter tyres / equipment
- Not stated in the standardized source
- Mandatory equipment
- Not stated in the standardized source
Checks that depend on the route
- Low-emission zones
- Check the current national or local official source
- Fines and enforcement
- Check the current national or local official source
- Emergency number
- 112
This is a planning summary, not legal advice. Road signs and current national rules take priority. Always check the linked official source before departure.