ReversingIreland

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.


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.

Reversing
Rear view camera with parking sensors in a Volkswagen Golf.
Wikimedia.org • Kārlis Dambrāns • CC BY
What must Irish drivers check before reversing?

The manoeuvre must not endanger other traffic or pedestrians.

🔗 revisedacts.lawreform.ie • Ireland, Traffic and Parking Regulations — articles 12, 33, 35; RSA reversing and U-turn guidance

🔗 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.

🔗 revisedacts.lawreform.ie • Ireland, Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations1997 — Articles8,12,18,29; consolidation9October2025 plus2026 amending instruments examined

🔗 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.

🔗 revisedacts.lawreform.ie • Ireland, Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations1997 — Articles8,12,18,29; consolidation9October2025 plus2026 amending instruments examined

🔗 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

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 ...