It is mandatory for all drivers to carry their drivers licence at all times, as if you are stopped by the Gardaí (police) you will be asked to produce it.

Other required documents are:

• Vehicle title document/registration certificate or Vehicle rental agreement
• Insurance disk or green card (not obligatory for vehicles registered in IRL or another EU state) National vehicle oval country of registration plate (not required for vehicles fitted with EU standard format license plates)
• National Certification of Roadworthiness for car over 4 years old.

Other important rules:

• It is illegal to drive and use a handheld mobile phone in Ireland.
• The legal tolerance limit for alcohol is 0.08% - basically don't drink and drive.
• Drive on the left.
• Traffic coming from the right-hand side has precedence on roundabouts (traffic rotaries).
• It is up to each driver to know the rules of the road and should you be stopped for an offence it is not considered a defence to claim ignorance.
• Wearing of seat belts is compulsory in front and rear seats.
• If renting a car with children in mind you must also rent the appropriate seat or cushion for their age and weight. Children under 150cm or 36kilos must use the correct child seat or booster cushion and safety belts. All drivers are legally responsible for this.
• Children under 12 years are not permitted in front seats.

Speed limits

• Speed limit signs are white and circular with black writing. The outside of the sign is a red ring.
• The maximum speed limit on a Motorway is 120km/h and 100km/h on a national road.
• A lower speed limit may be signposted where road conditions dictate so do adhere to signs at the side of the road.
• The speed limit for vehicles towing trailers, caravans, etc  is 80km/h (or less where signposted).
• The speed limit for trucks (over 3.5 tonnes)  and single deck buses is 80 km/h (or less where signposted).
• The speed limit for double deck buses is 65 km/h.

 
Signage
Depending on the road and the type of sign there are different coloured backgrounds:

• Motorways are Blue.
• National Roads are Green.
• Regional Roads are White.
• Warning signs are Yellow.
• Road Work signs are Orange.
• Tourist information signs are Brown.

Useful organisations

• An Garda Siochana (National Police Service)   www.garda.ie
• National Safety Council   www.nsc.ie
• National Roads Authority    www.nra.ie