Travelling
around Ireland by car is a good way to see
the hidden corners of the country. If you
have a few people with you the expenses
can work out cheaper, especially if you
throw a tent in the back and hope for good
weather! The freedom of having your own
transport is also rewarding.
RULES AND SPEED
LIMITS
In Ireland cars drive on the left side of
the road and priority is given to vehicles
on the right. When entering a roundabout
you must give way to the traffic on the
roundabout and to the traffic approaching
from your right.
Speed Limits
On Motorway: 112kph / 70mph
In Towns: 48kph / 30mph
On Major roads: 65kph / 40mph
In residential areas: 35kph / 20mph
Cars towing a trailer are limited to 80
kph (50 mph) on all roads.
You may not drive if your blood-alcohol
level exceeds 0.08%.
Seat belts are compulsory in the front for
driver and passenger, and the rear if fitted.
Children under the age of 12 may not ride
in the front seat unless it is fitted with
a special child's restraint.
Horns cannot be used between 11:30pm and
7am. It's illegal to use fog lights except
in fog or falling snow.
DRIVING LICENSES
Ireland recognizes driving licenses and
other traffic documents that are valid in
other countries. An International Driver's
Permit is a good idea. In Australia get
it from the nearest RACQ, RACV or equivalent
office. In America and Canada and the United
Kingdom it is available from the automobile
association. You only need to be 18 to drive
in Ireland. You are required to carry your
driving licence, insurance papers and registration
papers or rental agreement (proof of ownership)
with you at all times. you won't need an
international driving licence if your driving
licence is from any of the European Union
Member states, the United States and other
countries unless you will be driving in
Ireland for more than six months.
FUEL
Stations are usually open from 7.30am to
10pm, but some stay open 24 hours. Credit
cards are accepted. Leaded super petrol
has an octane rating of 98; the octane rating
of unleaded super is 95.
TOP
PARKING
Long term parking in large cities can be
expensive. Check if your hotel provides
free or good rate parking. Following parking
rules can be a bit tricky. Usually observing
other cars / people is a good way to work
it out.
All parking restrictions are lifted after
6pm daily except if there are yellow lines
on the road or bus stops. Parking metres
are checked from 8am to 6.30pm from Monday
through Saturday and maximum parking time
is 2 hours.
Cork and Limerick employ the parking disc
system in their central areas. They can
be purchased from news agents or from machines
by the road side. You must display them
in your car. Usually the disc allows for
one to three hours of parking. If your car
is illegally parked it may be towed or fined.
TOLLS
The only tolls in Ireland are the two toll
roads in Dublin; the M50 Ring Road between
the N4 and N3 interchanges, and on the R131
East Link Bridge.
Other charges for cars include two ferries.
There's a thirty minute car ferry across
the Shannon River between Tarbert in Co.
Kerry and Killimer in Co. Clare. It leaves
Killimer every hour on the hour and Tarbert
every hour on the half hour. It costs €12.50
per car one way; foot passengers pay €3.
Contact Shannon Ferry Ltd. (www.shannonferries.com,
tel. (065) 53124).
A ten minute car ferry operates between
Ballyhack, Co. Wexford, and Passage East,
Co. Waterford. It takes an hour off your
driving time. The first departure is 7.20am
weekdays, 9.30am Sunday, the last departure
at 10pm (summer) or 8pm (winter). Costs
per car including passengers are €5.70
one way; foot passengers pay €1.20;
car loads pay €8.30 for return passage;
foot passengers pay €1.90, tel. 051
82480.
TOP
BUYING A CAR
Most travellers will do this before they
get to Ireland. For those working in the
United Kingdom this is probably the best
place to do it. Look in Auto Trader, Exchange
and Mart and Loot which advertise second
hand vehicles. On Market Street in London
(Caledonian Road tube) there is an an informal
traveller's van and car market.
TOP
ADVICE ON CAR RENTAL
You will find cars for rent in Ireland in
all major airports, larger cities and ferry
ports. Check what the terms are for hiring.
Check for things like the maximum number
of kilometres specified as you pay so much
money per kilometre over. There are always
individual policy differences about the
fuel (i.e you return it full or empty depending
on what you arrange), and vehicle insurance.
Always do some shopping around to compare
prices. Also check if the price includes
collision damage and third party insurance
and VAT tax. You are best to purchase the
insurance from the rental company.
Small cars are an advantage on Ireland's
narrow roads and you will find most rentals
are small anyway. Most rentals have standard
transmissions, ask for automatics if you
want one. Normally you must be at least
25 years old to rent a car and under 70
years. In the busy season you should book
a car well in advance. When driving a rental
keep all rental documents with you.
BackpackIreland sells car hire through Auto
Europe which has worldwide car rental
services. We ask that you consider purchasing
your car hire through them as this revenue
goes back into improving this site.
Auto Europe also have scheduled air from
the USA to Europe, 2,000+ three and four
star hotels, prestige and sports car rentals,
hotel bookings, chauffeur drive and transfer
services, European and South Pacific Motorhome
Rentals, and European cellular phone rentals.
Car Rentals
Avis (tel. 800/331-1084; 800/879-2847 in
Canada; 02/9353-9000 in Australia; 09/525-1982
in New Zealand).
http://www.avis.com/
Budget (tel. 800/527-0700; 0144/227-6266
in the U.K.).
Telephone +353 903 27711, Fax +353 903 27744
www.budgetcar.com
Dollar (tel. 800/800-6000; 0181/897-0811
in the U.K., where it is known as Eurodollar;
02/9223-1444 in Australia).
Hertz (tel. 800/654-3001; 800/263-0600 in
Canada; 0181/897-2072 in the U.K.; 02/9669-2444
in Australia; 03/358-6777 in New Zealand).
http://www.hertz.com/
National (tel. 800/227-3876; 0345/222-525
in the U.K.).
Auto Clubs
Australian Automobile Association (tel.
02/6247-7311).
Canadian Automobile Association (CAA, tel.
613/247-0117).
New Zealand Automobile Association (tel.
09/377-4660).
Automobile Association (AA, tel. 0990/500-600).
Royal Automobile Club (RAC, tel. 0990/722-722
for membership; 0345/121-345 for insurance).
American Automobile Association (tel. 800/564-6222).
Dublin City Council Traffic Disruption Information www.dublincity.ie
Emergency Services
Emergency for Police/Fire/Ambulance: 999
Expressways and main highways have roadside
emergency telephones every 2 km. When you
rent a car check your policy to see what
cover you get (i.e is accommodation included
if you have car difficulties etc). Check
also to see if the country has a 24-road
service available.
