Speed limitIreland

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.


5. Speed limit

A speed limit is the maximum legal speed permitted on a road, lane or within a designated area. It may be established by general traffic law or indicated by fixed, variable or temporary traffic signs.

A speed limit is a maximum, not a target speed. Drivers must travel more slowly whenever traffic, visibility, weather, road conditions, vulnerable road users or the condition of the vehicle make the maximum permitted speed unsafe.

Speed-limit sign while leaving Abbeyleix on the N77. (County Laois, Ireland)
Wikimedia.org • Sarah777 • CC BY-SA
Which general speed limits should car drivers know in Ireland?

For an ordinary car, current general limits include 50 km/h in built-up areas, 60 km/h on rural local roads, 80 km/h on regional roads, 100 km/h on national roads and 120 km/h on motorways. Lower special limits apply where established. Reductions are being implemented in stages: use current signs and rules rather than treating a planned change as already universal.

🔗 revisedacts.lawreform.ie • Ireland, Traffic and Parking Regulations — articles 7; Road Traffic Act 2004 sections 5–9; circular RW21/2025; Signs Regulations 2025

🔗 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

Start of a speed limit. Start of a speed limit.

English • RUS 043 • 50 km/h speed limit. The maximum permitted speed is 50 km/h.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Roadguidelines.ie • Department of Transport • Traffic Signs Manual • RUS 043
🔗 Irishstatutebook.ie • Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Regulations 2025 (EN)

SVG source: Government of Ireland – Department of Transport • Public domain • Original revision 2026-06-29. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Did Ireland’s rural local-road default change to 60 km/h?

Yes. The default on rural local roads was reduced from 80 to 60 km/h on 7 February 2025. Local roads are commonly identified by an L number or can be unnumbered. Observe any applicable special limit and remember that 60 km/h can still be too fast for a narrow rural road.

🔗 revisedacts.lawreform.ie • Ireland, Traffic and Parking Regulations — articles 7; Road Traffic Act 2004 sections 5–9; circular RW21/2025; Signs Regulations 2025

🔗 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

Are planned Irish urban reductions already the default on every street?

No. Urban reductions are being implemented through local special speed-limit bye-laws, with a 31 March 2027 implementation target. Follow the current signs and applicable local rules; the review does not make every street 30 km/h immediately.

🔗 revisedacts.lawreform.ie • Ireland, Traffic and Parking Regulations — articles 7; Road Traffic Act 2004 sections 5–9; circular RW21/2025; Signs Regulations 2025

🔗 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

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 ...