Come To Cork

Driving in Ireland

In Ireland, we drive on the left …

Seatbelts are compulsory for the driver and all passengers, whether they’re travelling in the front or back, and children must have special seats or booster cushions depending on their age and height.

For cars, there are four speed limits:

• In towns, cities and residential areas, the limit is 50kmph
• On small, local roads, the limit is 80kmph
• On larger, national roads, the limit is 100kmph
• And on motorways, the limit is 120kmph

Speeding will earn you an on-the-spot fine of €80 and you’ll get two penalty points on your licence – if you accumulate twelve points or more, you’ll lose your licence completely and have to re-sit the driving test.

Drinking and driving is illegal in Ireland with the maximum legal limit set at 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, for more information click here http://www.drinkaware.ie/aware.php?ID=39 .

But stick to the rules and you’ll find that driving in Cork is a pleasant and relaxing experience. The roads are good, the scenery is beautiful, safety standards are high and the drivers are courteous.

If you are moving to Ireland from an EU country, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you can use your own licence until it reaches its expiry date. But you are also welcome to exchange it at any stage for an Irish licence. If you’re from any other country, and plan to stay here longer than twelve months, you are obliged to exchange your old licence for an Irish one – and in most cases, there’ll be no need to take a driving test.

You must have insurance to drive here and there’s also a motor tax based on engine size. You will get a special disc from your insurance company and a second disc from the motor taxation office. Both of these must be displayed on the windscreen at all times.

If your car is four years old or more, you’ll need to take the National Car Test (NCT) every second year to ensure that it’s roadworthy. In Cork city, you’ll find the NCT centre in the Euro Business Park in Little Island and there are more than 25 authorised test centres throughout the county who’ll be more than happy to advise you.