Driving Cars and Bikes
Find out about the essential rules, road taxes and regulations on driving and alcohol...
Rules and Regulations
- Drive on the left in Ireland
- The legal age for driving a car in Ireland is 17 years (16 years for a work vehicle such as a tractor)
- Drivers must have a valid driving licence or learner permit for the vehicle they are driving
- The use of mobile phones while driving is prohibited
- Seatbelts are compulsory in both the front and back seats
- Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to travel in the front seat of a vehicle
- Motor insurance is compulsory
- The motor tax certificate must be clearly displayed on the windscreen of all road vehicles at all times
- For comprehensive information about the rules of the road in Ireland: Click here
Driver and passenger safety
- Babies and children under three years must travel in a safety seat
- Children under 150cm and weighing less than 36 Kg must use the correct child seat or booster seat
- Motorcyclists must wear helmets
Safe road usage
- When at a crossroads with all roads of equal importance, traffic must give way to the right
- At roundabouts traffic must give way to the right
- Traffic on priority roads have right of way over other traffic
- Dipped lights must be used in poor visibility
- Drivers must yield to emergency vehicles
- The speed limit for towing vehicles is 80 Km/h
Documents to carry in the car
The following documents must always be carried with the driver in the car:
- Valid driving licence
- Vehicle registration document
- Certificate of motor insurance
Safety items
It is not compulsory to carry any safety items in the car. However, the following are recommended:
- A first aid/emergency kit
- A warning triangle
- Spare bulb kit
- Fire extinguisher
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