Weight 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.


28. Weight limit

A weight limit prohibits vehicles or vehicle combinations whose mass exceeds the value shown from entering or passing a road section, bridge, tunnel or other structure. Depending on local law, the restriction may concern the vehicle’s actual loaded mass, maximum authorised mass or load on an individual axle.

Drivers must know which type of mass the sign refers to and must include the vehicle, passengers, cargo and any trailer where required. A vehicle that exceeds the limit must use another suitable route.

Weight limit
Weight-limit sign in Lucan. (County Dublin, Ireland)
Wikimedia.org • Leimanbhradain • CC BY-SA
Does every weight-limit sign measure the same kind of vehicle weight in Ireland?

No. Check whether the particular sign concerns actual loaded mass, authorised maximum mass, axle load or another specified vehicle class. These are different measurements; do not interpret every weight-restriction sign as the same type of limit.

🔗 revisedacts.lawreform.ie • Ireland, Traffic and Parking Regulations — articles 17, 34, 36; Signs Regulations 2025 dimensional and mass restrictions

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

🔗 irishstatutebook.ie • S.I.433/2025 — current Irish traffic-sign and road-marking descriptions

Vehicles heavier than indicated prohibited. Vehicles heavier than indicated prohibited.

English • RUS 053 • Maximum gross weight — safety. Vehicles with a design gross vehicle weight exceeding 10 tonnes must not proceed. The restriction applies regardless of the load currently carried; safety weight restrictions have no access exemption.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Roadguidelines.ie • Department of Transport • Traffic Signs Manual • RUS 053
🔗 Irishstatutebook.ie • Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Regulations 2025 (EN)
🔗 Irishstatutebook.ie • Maximum design gross vehicle weight • traffic rules (EN)

SVG source: Government of Ireland – Department of Transport • Public domain • Original revision 2021-08-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Do cargo and trailers matter for a posted weight restriction in Ireland?

Yes, whenever the rule is based on actual loaded mass or the total mass of a combination. Cargo, passengers and the trailer affect that figure; weight on individual axles may be limited separately. If the sign instead uses authorised maximum mass, an empty vehicle may still be prohibited.

🔗 revisedacts.lawreform.ie • Ireland, Traffic and Parking Regulations — articles 17, 34, 36; Signs Regulations 2025 dimensional and mass restrictions

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

🔗 irishstatutebook.ie • S.I.433/2025 — current Irish traffic-sign and road-marking descriptions

What should you do if your vehicle exceeds a bridge weight limit in Ireland?

Do not drive onto the bridge. Follow the signed alternative route and check the vehicle’s gross and axle loads as applicable. A general heavy-vehicle permit does not automatically authorise crossing every restricted bridge.

🔗 revisedacts.lawreform.ie • Ireland, Traffic and Parking Regulations — articles 17, 34, 36; Signs Regulations 2025 dimensional and mass restrictions

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

🔗 irishstatutebook.ie • S.I.433/2025 — current Irish traffic-sign and road-marking descriptions

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 ...