Cheat sheet

Rules of the Road

Speed limits, right of way, lane discipline, overtaking, and the rules every driver must know on Irish roads.

The facts to remember, in one place. Drill them with mock exams and spaced repetition in Theory Test Ireland.

Irish speed limits

◆ Penalty points are added to your driving licence record for specific road traffic offences.
◆ Accumulating 12 or more penalty points within 3 years results in automatic disqualification.
◆ Learner permit holders and novice drivers are disqualified at 7 penalty points (not 12).
◆ Common offences: speeding, using a mobile phone while driving, not wearing a seatbelt.
◆ Points remain on your licence record for 3 years from the date of the offence.

◆ Give way to traffic already on the roundabout, which approaches from your right.
◆ To take the first exit (left), signal left on approach and stay in the left lane.
◆ To go straight ahead, take the appropriate lane and signal left only after passing the exit before yours.
◆ To turn right or go full circle, approach in the right lane and signal right, then signal left to exit.
◆ Watch for cyclists and motorcyclists, who may stay in the left lane to exit anywhere.

◆ At a junction with a yield or stop sign, you must give way to traffic on the major road.
◆ When turning right across oncoming traffic, you must give way to that traffic.
◆ At an unmarked crossroads, no one has automatic priority -- proceed with great care.
◆ Always give way to pedestrians already crossing at a junction you are turning into.
◆ Emergency vehicles using sirens or flashing lights must be allowed to pass safely.

◆ A continuous white line on your side of the centre means you must not overtake.
◆ A broken white centre line means overtaking is allowed when it is safe.
◆ Never overtake near a bend, brow of a hill, junction, pedestrian crossing or where signs prohibit it.
◆ When passing a cyclist, leave at least 1 metre at speeds up to 50 km/h and 1.5 metres above that.
◆ Only overtake on the left in slow-moving lanes of traffic or where directed by lane markings.

◆ Learner permit holders, pedestrians, cyclists and slow vehicles may not use motorways.
◆ Join from the slip road, build up speed and merge smoothly with the traffic.
◆ Keep to the left lane and use other lanes only to overtake, returning left after.
◆ The maximum speed limit is 120 km/h for cars and light vehicles.
◆ Use the hard shoulder only in an emergency, and get well clear of the carriageway.

◆ Double yellow lines mean no parking at any time; a single yellow line restricts parking during the times on nearby plates.
◆ You must not park within 5 metres of a junction or where you would block other road users.
◆ Never park on a clearway, on a footpath, at a bus stop or on a continuous white line.
◆ Do not park opposite another parked vehicle if it leaves too little room to pass.
◆ Park facing the direction of traffic flow and switch off the engine and lights as required.

◆ At a zebra crossing you must give way to pedestrians waiting to cross or already crossing.
◆ A pelican crossing uses signals; a flashing amber means give way to pedestrians still crossing.
◆ A toucan crossing is shared by pedestrians and cyclists, who may cross together.
◆ Never overtake a vehicle that has stopped at a crossing, and do not park on the zig-zag lines.
◆ Always be ready to stop -- never wave a pedestrian across, as another driver may not see them.

◆ Use the Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre routine on the approach to every junction.
◆ At a stop sign you must stop fully at the line; at a yield sign you give way without always stopping.
◆ When turning right, give way to oncoming traffic before you cross its path.
◆ When turning left, watch for cyclists and motorcyclists on your left-hand side.
◆ At an unmarked junction no one has priority, so approach slowly and be ready to give way.