Transport > Car Travel > Ireland

Driving in Ireland

Driving is a great way to discover Ireland as most of the country's most scenic spots are in rural areas that are most easily accessed by car. This is particularly the case for the scenic Beara, Iveragh and Dingle Peninsulas.

Traffic in Ireland drives on the left. Fuel is expensive, but cheaper than in the UK.

In Ireland road distances are marked in kilometres but speed limits are still expressed in miles per hour.

The general speed limit is 60 mph (96 kph) on open roads, on motorways it is 70 mph (112 kph) and in built up areas it is 30 mph (48 kph). In some instances, such as an approach to a built up area, there may be speed limits of 40 or 50 mph (64 or 80 kph). The penalty for speeding offences is €80.

In Ireland the following roads have tolls: East Link Bridge (Dublin), West Link Bridge (Dublin), West Link Bridge 2 (Dublin) and the M1 Toll Drogheda By-Pass. Tolls on the East and West Link Bridges are €1.35 and the M1 Toll Drogheda By-Pass is €1.50.

Renting a Car in Ireland

For most travellers renting a car is the most practical option for driving around Ireland.

Car rental companies include:

Avis

1 Hanover Street, Dublin

Tel (01) 605 7500

Website www.avis.ie

Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.45pm, Sat 8.30am-5pm, Sun 9am-2pm

Budget

151 Lower Drumcondra Road, Dublin 9

Tel (01) 837 9611

Website www.budget.ie

Open 9am-5pm daily

Europcar

Baggot Street Bridge, Dublin

Tel (01) 614 2840

Website www.europcar.ie

Open Mon-Fri 8am-6.30pm, Sat 8am-4pm, Sun 9am-1pm

Hertz

151 South Circular Road, Dublin

Tel (01) 709 3060

Website www.hertz.ie

Open Jan-Mar Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm, Sat 9am-4.30pm; Apr-Oct Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm, Sat-Sun 9am-4pm; Nov-Dec Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm, Sat 9am-4.30pm

Irish Car Rentals

Harris Park, Old Airport Road, Cloughran, Co Dublin

Tel (01) 862 2715

Website www.irishcarrentals.com

Open 8.30am-5.30pm daily

Thrifty

26 Lombard Street East, Dublin

Tel (01) 874 5844

Website www.thrifty.ie

Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm, Sat 8.30am-12.30pm

Buying a Car in Ireland

If you are going to be spending a while in Ireland you may consider buying a car and selling it when you are ready to return home.

All drivers in Ireland have to have motor insurance and you cannot pay your motor tax without showing your motor insurance certificate. The minimum level of motor insurance covers you for third party damage that your car may cause. Motor insurance is available from most insurance companies.

Once you have your motor insurance you will need to pay motor tax.

When you buy a car in Ireland that was first registered in 1992 or earlier, you have to fill out part B of the RF 200 form and detach and retain part C, which is completed by the seller. The new details will be registered in the Log Book, which will then be returned to you.

If you are buying a car that was first registered in 1993 or later, the seller must fill in your details on part B of the Vehicle Licensing Certificate and return it to the Vehicle Registration Unit of the Department of Environment and Local Government. The new details will be registered and the amended certificate will be sent to you. The seller will give the Vehicle Registration Certificate to you when you buy the vehicle.

The rules for buying a brand new car are different but the paperwork for new cars is usually handled by the car dealer.

Selling your Car in Ireland

You will need to complete some paperwork when you sell your car at the end of your trip.

When you sell a car in Ireland you will need to register the change in ownership. If the car was first registered in 1992 or earlier you will need to complete a Change of Ownership for (RF200) from your local Motor Taxation Office. If the car was first registered in 1993 or later you will need to complete part B of the Vehicle Licensing Certificate, which you should have received when you bought the car, and send it to the Vehicle Registration Unit of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. You should also send the Vehicle Registration Certificate to the new owner.

The regulations are different if you are selling a car in Ireland that is registered in the United Kingdom or another country as the car will have to be first registered and given Irish number plates.