MotorwayIreland

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Ireland. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


2. Motorway

A motorway is a road specially designed and signposted for motor traffic. Motorways normally have separate carriageways for opposing traffic, controlled access through designated entrances and exits, no direct access to neighbouring properties, and no level crossings with other roads, railways or paths.

Special traffic rules apply on motorways. The permitted road users, speed limits, lane rules, tolls and emergency procedures vary between countries, so drivers must follow the local traffic signs and regulations.

M50 motorway at the overlap of junctions 13 and 14. (Sandyford, Ireland)
Wikimedia.org • Sarah777 • CC0
Which lane should I normally use on an Irish motorway?

Keep to the left lane. Use another lane when safely overtaking or making room for merging traffic, then return left when safe. Keep a safe following distance.

🔗 revisedacts.lawreform.ie • Ireland, Traffic and Parking Regulations — articles 7, 9–10, 27, 33; Road Traffic Act 2004 sections 5–9; RSA motorway guidance

🔗 rsa.ie • RSA Rules of the Road — guidance, law date 1 March 2025; read with later amendments

🔗 revisedacts.lawreform.ie • Road Traffic Act 2004, revised — current sections 5–9 and uncommenced amendments

🔗 roadguidelines.ie • Department of Transport circular RW21/2025 — urban bye-law implementation by 31 March 2027

🔗 rsa.ie • RSA current motorway safety — lane use and wrong-way emergency instructions

Start of a motorway. Start of a motorway.

English • F 330 • Start of motorway. Motorway regulations apply from this point. Observe the access restrictions and the speed limit signs.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Gigillo83 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Roadguidelines.ie • Department of Transport • Traffic Signs Manual • F 330

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Original: Government of Ireland – Department of Transport Version without red stroke: EthanL13 • Public domain • Source revision 2023-08-07. Wikimedia original unmodified.

End of the motorway. End of the motorway.

English • F 333 • End of motorway. The motorway ends here. Follow the signs and limits applying to the road beyond.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Gigillo83 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Roadguidelines.ie • Department of Transport • Traffic Signs Manual • F 333

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Government of Ireland – Department of Transport • Public domain • Source revision 2023-08-07. Wikimedia original unmodified.

What speed limit applies to cars on a motorway in Ireland?

For an ordinary passenger car without a trailer, the normal motorway maximum is 120 km/h. Follow lower posted limits and drive more slowly whenever traffic, weather or visibility requires it.

🔗 revisedacts.lawreform.ie • Ireland, Traffic and Parking Regulations — articles 7, 9–10, 27, 33; Road Traffic Act 2004 sections 5–9; RSA motorway guidance

🔗 rsa.ie • RSA Rules of the Road — guidance, law date 1 March 2025; read with later amendments

🔗 revisedacts.lawreform.ie • Road Traffic Act 2004, revised — current sections 5–9 and uncommenced amendments

🔗 roadguidelines.ie • Department of Transport circular RW21/2025 — urban bye-law implementation by 31 March 2027

🔗 rsa.ie • RSA current motorway safety — lane use and wrong-way emergency instructions

What should I do if I miss a motorway exit in Ireland?

Continue to the next exit and choose a safe onward route. Do not reverse, make a U-turn or cross the central reservation to return to a missed exit.

🔗 revisedacts.lawreform.ie • Ireland, Traffic and Parking Regulations — articles 7, 9–10, 27, 33; Road Traffic Act 2004 sections 5–9; RSA motorway guidance

🔗 rsa.ie • RSA Rules of the Road — guidance, law date 1 March 2025; read with later amendments

🔗 revisedacts.lawreform.ie • Road Traffic Act 2004, revised — current sections 5–9 and uncommenced amendments

🔗 roadguidelines.ie • Department of Transport circular RW21/2025 — urban bye-law implementation by 31 March 2027

🔗 rsa.ie • RSA current motorway safety — lane use and wrong-way emergency instructions

What should I do if my vehicle breaks down on an Irish motorway?

If possible, pull as far into the hard shoulder as you safely can and switch on your hazard lights. Notify the Gardaí and arrange assistance, then wait in a safe place away from traffic. Do not walk along the motorway to seek assistance.

🔗 revisedacts.lawreform.ie • Ireland, Traffic and Parking Regulations — articles 7, 9–10, 27, 33; Road Traffic Act 2004 sections 5–9; RSA motorway guidance

🔗 rsa.ie • RSA Rules of the Road — guidance, law date 1 March 2025; read with later amendments

🔗 revisedacts.lawreform.ie • Road Traffic Act 2004, revised — current sections 5–9 and uncommenced amendments

🔗 roadguidelines.ie • Department of Transport circular RW21/2025 — urban bye-law implementation by 31 March 2027

🔗 rsa.ie • RSA current motorway safety — lane use and wrong-way emergency instructions

1 Ireland 2 Motorway 3 Residential area 4 Zone 5 Speed limit 6 Bike path 7 Pedestrian warning 8 Bridge 9 Speed bump 10 Toll road 11 Quay 12 Slope 13 Bus lane 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Road narrowing 18 Pedestrian crossing 19 Railway crossing 20 Turn prohibition 21 School area 22 Crossing animals 23 Slippery road 24 Curve 25 Chevron 26 Wrong-way driving 27 Height limit 28 Weight limit 29 Radar speed sign 30 Priority at the next junction 31 Traffic lights warning 32 Pedestrian lights 33 Left-hand traffic 34 Driving licence 35 End of restriction 36 Parking 37 No parking 38 Reversing 39 U-turn 40 Hostel 41 Tourist attraction 42 Licence plate 43 Dangers 44 Cyclist 45 Bus 46 Police 47 Ambulance 48 Taxi 49 European emission standard 50 Pothole 51 Path 52 Particulates 53 Air pollution 54 Rush hour 55 Road code 56 2+2 Road 57 Street gutter 58 Cargo bike 59 Forestry vehicle 60 Construction vehicle 61 Semi-trailer truck 62 Trolleybus 63 Speed pedelec 64 Delivery vehicle 65 Idling 66 Tow truck 67 Four-wheel drive 68 Bicycle 69 Motorcycle equipment 70 Tram 71 Rail track 72 Caravan 73 Trailer 74 Tow hitch 75 Fire truck 76 Siren 77 Convoy 78 Emergency vehicle lighting 79 Agricultural machinery 80 Electric bicycle 81 Electric vehicle 82 Pedelec 83 Quadricycle 84 Microcar 85 All-terrain vehicle 86 Van 87 Recreational vehicle 88 Scooter 89 Trikke 90 Personal mobility device 91 Skateboard 92 Segway 93 Kick scooter 94 Roller skates 95 Mailman 96 Hitchhiker 97 Toddler 98 Child 99 Disability 100 Motorail ...