ReversingIreland
38. Reversing
Reversing means driving a vehicle backwards. It is commonly used when parking, leaving a confined space or repositioning a vehicle where forward movement is not practical.
Before reversing, the driver should check mirrors and blind spots, look carefully around the vehicle and make sure the area behind is clear. Reversing should be performed slowly and only for as long as necessary because visibility behind the vehicle is often limited.
Wikimedia.org • Kārlis Dambrāns • CC BY
What must Irish drivers check before reversing?
The manoeuvre must not endanger other traffic or pedestrians.
🔗 rsa.ie • RSA Rules of the Road — guidance, law date 1 March 2025; read with later amendments
Can you reverse from an Irish side road onto a major road?
No. Article 12 expressly prohibits this manoeuvre.
🔗 irishstatutebook.ie • Irish Statute Book — effects on SI182/1997, current amendment/currency check
🔗 irishstatutebook.ie • Ireland SI204/2026 — signed bus-priority facility exception to Article33
🔗 irishstatutebook.ie • Ireland SI206/2026 — specified M4 bus-priority/hard-shoulder facility
Can you reverse from Irish property onto a public road?
Only where it is clear this will not endanger other traffic or pedestrians.
🔗 irishstatutebook.ie • Irish Statute Book — effects on SI182/1997, current amendment/currency check
🔗 irishstatutebook.ie • Ireland SI204/2026 — signed bus-priority facility exception to Article33
🔗 irishstatutebook.ie • Ireland SI206/2026 — specified M4 bus-priority/hard-shoulder facility

Traffic rules
Ireland