Driving in Ireland: Tips for First-Time Visitors

Driving in Ireland for the first time? Here’s what you need to know:

• Drive on the left side. Adjusting can be tricky, but most adapt quickly.

• Speed limits are in kilometers per hour (km/h):

  • Urban areas: 50 km/h (31 mph)
  • Rural roads: 80–100 km/h (50–62 mph)
  • Motorways: 120 km/h (74.5 mph)

• Manual cars are standard. Automatics cost more and should be booked early.

• Toll roads exist. Keep cash or check if your rental includes toll coverage.

• Required documents include: U.S. driver’s license, passport, insurance, and rental agreement.

Quick Tips:

• Watch out for narrow rural roads and livestock.
• Use roundabouts correctly: Yield to traffic from the right.
• Fuel up often in remote areas.
• Follow road signs in English and Gaelic.

With preparation, driving in Ireland can be safe and enjoyable. Read on for detailed rules, rental advice, and road safety tips.

Before You Drive

Required Documents

Before hitting the road in Ireland, make sure you have these essentials:

• Valid U.S. driver's license
• Passport
• Car rental agreement
• Insurance documentation
• Credit card used for the rental

U.S. citizens can drive in Ireland as tourists for up to 12 months with a valid U.S. driver's license ^[3]. While not required, an International Driving Permit (IDP) from AAA is a smart addition. It provides an official translation of your license, which can be helpful ^[4].

Car Rental Guide

Ireland’s rural roads can be quite narrow, so renting a compact car is a practical choice.

Here’s a breakdown of rental costs for a 7-day round trip from Dublin Airport:

Helpful tips:

• Book automatics early - they’re limited and cost 30–40% more ^[5].
• Consider picking up your car in the city to skip airport surcharges ^[5].
• Diesel vehicles are more fuel-efficient, which can help lower fuel costs ^[6].
• Use offline maps or rent a GPS for easier navigation.

Insurance Guide

Having the right insurance is crucial. Here are your options:

• Comprehensive Cover: This offers broad protection, covering your rental car, third-party property, and often includes extras like breakdown assistance, windscreen replacement, and coverage for personal belongings.
• Third Party, Fire and Theft: A more basic option that covers damage to other vehicles and property, as well as fire damage and theft. It’s usually cheaper but less inclusive.

If you’re planning to drive into Northern Ireland or other EU countries, consider adding European cover. This typically extends coverage for 31–60 days and adds extra peace of mind ^[7].

For added protection, purchasing the Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW) is recommended.

Once your documents, rental, and insurance are sorted, you’re ready to dive into Ireland’s driving rules.

The DON'Ts of Driving in Ireland - Essential Tips for First-Time Visitors

Driving Rules in Ireland

Getting used to driving in Ireland means understanding some key differences from U.S. roads. Here’s a breakdown of the important guidelines to keep in mind.

Left-Side Driving Tips

One major adjustment for U.S. drivers is switching from driving on the right-hand side to the left-hand side. As Rick Steves explains:

"Many Yankee drivers find the hardest part isn't driving on the left, but steering from the right. Your instinct is to put yourself on the left side of your lane, which means you may spend your first day or two constantly drifting off the road to the left. Remember to stay near the center line." ^[8]

When entering roundabouts, always turn left and yield to traffic coming from the right. Once you’ve got that down, it’s time to get familiar with Ireland’s road signs.

Road Signs Guide

Irish road signs are divided into three main categories:

In the Republic of Ireland, most signs include both English and Irish. However, in Gaeltacht regions (Irish-speaking areas), signs are written only in Irish ^[9].

Rural Road Safety

Driving on rural roads in Ireland presents its own set of challenges. The skills you develop in left-side driving and recognizing road signs will be especially useful here. When navigating these narrow roads, keep these tips in mind:

• Drive at a speed that allows you to stop within your visible distance. Slow down on curves and blind corners.
• Watch out for livestock, like sheep and cattle, which may wander onto open roads.
• If you encounter oncoming traffic on a narrow road, look for the nearest lay-by. If you’re closer to it, be ready to reverse into it to let the other vehicle pass.
• Use your horn to signal your presence when approaching blind corners ^[10].

Rules and Road Behavior

Speed Limits

Here’s a quick overview of speed limits in Ireland:

"All that we are asking people to do is to take less than a minute longer for their journey to make the road safer for everyone. This is not anything personal. This is for us all to do and to make the roads a lot safer than what they currently are." ^[12]

Exceeding these limits comes with penalties. A fixed fine of €160 and 3 penalty points is issued for violations. If unpaid within 28 days, the fine rises to €240. Ignoring it further can lead to court proceedings, where fines can reach up to €1,000 ^[11].

Toll Roads

Ireland has eleven toll roads, but the M50 stands out because it’s barrier-free. For the M50, payments must be made by 8:00 PM the next day if you don't have an electronic tag. Below are the current M50 toll rates:

For hassle-free travel, check your rental agreement for toll coverage ^[13]. You may also want to consider an eToll tag, which costs €1.00 + VAT per month and works on all toll roads ^[14].

Road Manners

Beyond speed and toll rules, understanding local driving etiquette is just as important. Here are a few tips:

• On narrow roads, use the nearest pull-in spot to let others pass.
• If someone yields to you, a friendly wave is appreciated ^[15].
• Be patient and only overtake when visibility is clear ^[16].
• At roundabouts, always give way to traffic coming from the right. Signal your exits clearly and maintain a steady speed.
• When two vehicles meet on a road too narrow to pass, the driver closest to a pull-in area should reverse, unless they are towing a vehicle ^[15].

Travel Tools and Help

Navigation Tools

Getting around Ireland is much easier with the right navigation tools. Apps like Google Maps and Waze work seamlessly across the country, especially if you have a portable Wi-Fi device for internet access^[18].

For added security, download offline maps and carry a paper backup like the Collins Handy Road Map. If you prefer a GPS, a Garmin device with Ireland maps costs around $75, with additional map downloads priced at $70^[17]. You can also use Google Street View to familiarize yourself with key routes and intersections before setting off.

"Google maps works very well in Ireland (so does Waze), and with the portable wifi you will also be able to upload those drool-worthy photos you've been taking to your social accounts or send 'Wish You Were Here' emails to friends and family back home!" - Jody Halsted, Host, Traveling in Ireland Podcast and the Ireland Family Vacations website^[18]

Once your navigation is sorted, you're ready to hit Ireland’s scenic roads.

Route Planning

Ireland is known for its breathtaking drives, so planning your journey is key. The Wild Atlantic Way covers an impressive 1,600 miles along the coastline, while shorter routes like the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula offer equally stunning views^[19][20].

A few tips for planning:

• Use Google Maps to map out your daily routes.
• Build in extra time for scenic stops and photo opportunities.
• If you're short on time, pick either the Dingle Peninsula or the Ring of Kerry for a more focused experience^[19].

"There's an abundance of signage to follow and if you get lost for a bit – who cares, it's fun to get lost!" - Sherry Ott^[20]

Prepare for some surprises along the way, as part of the charm is in the unexpected.

Emergency Help

Keep these emergency contacts handy during your trip:

If you need to call emergency services, make sure to provide:

• Your exact location or nearby landmarks.
• Directions to your position.
• Your contact number.
• Details about the incident^[21].

For breakdowns, the Automobile Association (AA) offers coverage across Ireland for about $130 per year^[21]. However, check your car rental agreement first - breakdown assistance might already be included.

Final Tips

Before hitting the road in Ireland, take note of these safety measures to ensure a smooth journey.

Vehicle Preparation
Double-check your rental car's fuel type - getting it wrong can lead to hefty charges (one traveler faced a €800 bill) ^[1]. Familiarize yourself with key controls like windshield wipers, headlights (including fog lights), emergency flashers, and mirror defoggers.

Road Safety Essentials
Ireland boasts around 100,000 km (62,000 miles) of roads, ranking among the safest in the EU ^[22].

"Driving in Ireland is not as difficult as it may seem. As long as you pay attention to the road, obey traffic signs, and remember to keep left, you'll be grand."
– Jody Halsted, Traveling in Ireland Podcast and the Ireland Family Vacations website ^[2]

These guidelines are especially helpful for navigating Ireland's rural roads.

Rural Road Protocol
On Ireland's narrow country roads, stay vigilant. If cars are stacking up behind you, use designated passing spots to let them overtake ^[2]. At night, drive slower - limited lighting on rural roads makes cautious driving a must ^[2].

Fuel Management
Fuel stations can be hard to find in remote areas. Keep your tank at least half full to avoid unnecessary stops or delays ^[2]. For toll pricing, check the Toll Roads section above.