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Car Hire Ireland

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Introduction

Known for its gorgeous scenery and stunning landscapes, Ireland is a great place for holidays and short breaks away. From exploring the lush green countryside to staying in a cosy cottage in an Irish village towards the rocky West Coast, there’s plenty to see and do here no matter how long you stay. For those wanting a more urban visit to Ireland, capital city Dublin is the place to start. While the city isn’t massive, it’s still a magical place to visit with a fabulous creative history where many authors and poets honed their craft. It’s also renowned for its friendly pub goers as one of the most widely recommended things to do while you’re out there is to sit down and have a pint with a Dubliner.

Driving in Ireland

L

Road Driving Side

31mph

Urban Speed Limit

50mph

Rural Speed Limit

75mph

Motorway Speed Limit

Important things to note

  • It’s generally recommended to carry with you spare bulbs for your car’s external lights, a fire extinguisher, first aid kit and a warning triangle.
  • Some motorways have toll booths. Very few accept credit card payments, so it’s a good idea to have change in the car at all times.
  • Don’t use your car horn between 11.30pm and 7am.

Driving culture in Ireland

What are the roads like in Ireland?

Outside of Dublin and particularly in the more rural areas of Dublin, the roads are quite rough. Many of the main roads and motorways don’t have bypasses and are prone to traffic jams. It’s advisable to account for extra journey time – up to 25% is advisable. It’s advisable to drive with caution out in more rural areas as livestock and wildlife may be in the roads. Some level-crossings have manual gates which must be opened and closed by motorists.

How will I find Irish drivers?

On the whole, driving standards in Ireland are very good and most drivers tend to be courteous. The more problematic drivers tend to be other tourists.

What are the best times to drive?

Weekends and during the days outside of rush hour is the best time to be on the roads. Rush hour is between 7:00 and 9:00 in a morning and 16:00 and 19:00 in the evening and certainly the traffic is busiest in Dublin and surrounding areas at rush hour.

What are the driving laws?

The driver and passengers must wear seatbelts at all times, while drivers are responsible for anyone under 17 wearing one. It’s illegal to use a mobile handset whilst driving. Children under 12 are not permitted to sit in the front seat. Children under 12 must be seated in an appropriate child restraint. If you’re using a GPS system showing where fixed speed cameras are, deactivate it whilst driving.