Rules of the Road flashcards

Front

What is the default speed limit on a motorway in Ireland?

Back

120 km/h — The default speed limit on Irish motorways is 120 km/h unless road signs indicate otherwise.

Front

What is the default speed limit on a national road (non-motorway) in Ireland?

Back

100 km/h — The default speed limit on national roads (N-roads) that are not motorways is 100 km/h.

Front

What is the default speed limit on a regional (R) road in Ireland?

Back

80 km/h — Regional (R) roads have a default speed limit of 80 km/h. Note: since 7 February 2025 (Road Traffic Act 2024) the default on rural local (L) roads was reduced to 60 km/h, but regional roads remain at 80 km/h.

Front

What is the default speed limit in a built-up area in Ireland?

Back

50 km/h — The default speed limit in built-up areas (towns, villages, cities) is 50 km/h unless a lower limit is posted.

Front

You are driving in a clearly signed 30 km/h special speed limit zone. What type of area is this most likely to be?

Back

A school or residential area where a lower limit has been set — Special speed limits of 30 km/h are commonly applied around schools, playgrounds, and residential streets where vulnerable road users are present.

Front

What are learner permit holders not allowed to do on a motorway in Ireland?

Back

Drive on it at all, even when accompanied — Learner permit holders are prohibited from driving on motorways under any circumstances, even if accompanied by a fully licensed driver.

Front

A driver holds a learner permit for category B (car). Which of the following is a legal requirement when they drive?

Back

They must be accompanied by a qualified driver who holds a full licence for at least two years — Learner permit holders must at all times be accompanied by a driver who holds a full category B licence for at least two years.

Front

What colour are the L-plates that a learner permit holder must display on a car in Ireland?

Back

Red letter L on a white background — Learner drivers in Ireland must display red L-plates (red letter L on a white background) at the front and rear of the vehicle.

Front

A novice driver in Ireland has recently passed their driving test. What is the maximum speed limit that applies specifically to them on a motorway?

Back

120 km/h — Novice full-licence holders may use motorways and the standard 120 km/h limit applies; there is no separate lower motorway limit for novice drivers. They must display N-plates for two years.

Front

For how long after obtaining a first full licence must a novice driver in Ireland display N-plates?

Back

Two years — Novice drivers must display N-plates (a red letter N on a white background) for two years following the date they obtained their first full licence.

Front

At a roundabout with no road markings or signs, who has priority?

Back

Traffic already circulating on the roundabout — At all roundabouts in Ireland, vehicles already on the roundabout have priority. Approaching drivers must yield to circulating traffic.

Front

When approaching a roundabout in Ireland, to which traffic must you give way?

Back

Traffic coming from your right (already on the roundabout) — Traffic flows clockwise around Irish roundabouts. Approaching drivers must yield to vehicles already on the roundabout, which are coming from the right.

Front

At an unmarked junction (no signs or road markings), who has right of way?

Back

The driver approaching from the right — At an unmarked junction where roads are of similar importance, you must give way to traffic approaching from your right.

Front

You are waiting at a junction marked with a 'Yield' sign. A car is approaching on the major road. What must you do?

Back

Give way to the traffic on the major road before entering — A Yield sign requires you to slow down and give way to all traffic on the major road before entering. You may only proceed when it is safe to do so.

Front

You are turning right from a major road into a side road. A cyclist is approaching from the opposite direction going straight ahead. Who has right of way?

Back

The cyclist, who is travelling straight ahead — When turning right, you must yield to oncoming traffic travelling straight ahead, including cyclists. You must wait until it is safe before completing your turn.

Front

In Ireland, you generally must NOT overtake on the left. In which specific situation is overtaking on the left permitted?

Back

When the driver in front signals that they intend to turn right — You may pass on the left when the driver ahead is signalling and waiting to turn right, provided you can do so safely without crossing a continuous white line.

Front

When may you cross a continuous (unbroken) white centre line?

Back

For access to a premises or in an emergency, never to overtake — A continuous (unbroken) white centre line must never be crossed for overtaking. You may only cross it for access to a premises or side road, or in an emergency.

Front

Which of the following situations makes overtaking ILLEGAL in Ireland?

Back

Overtaking when approaching a bend or the brow of a hill — You must not overtake when approaching a bend, the brow of a hill, or any place where your view ahead is obstructed, as an oncoming vehicle could appear without warning.

Front

Before overtaking a vehicle on a single carriageway, you should ensure that:

Back

The road ahead is clear for a sufficient distance for you to complete the manoeuvre safely — You must only overtake when you have a clear, unobstructed view of the road ahead far enough to complete the manoeuvre and return to your lane safely.

Front

At which of the following places is overtaking prohibited in Ireland?

Back

At a pedestrian crossing — Overtaking is prohibited at pedestrian crossings. A broken white line, a clear dual carriageway, and the left lane of a motorway are all places where overtaking is permitted when it is safe to do so.

Front

Which road are learner permit holders prohibited from driving on in Ireland?

Back

Motorways, whether accompanied or not — By law, holders of a learner permit may not drive on motorways. This prohibition applies regardless of whether they are accompanied.

Front

Which road user category is NOT permitted to use a motorway in Ireland?

Back

Cyclists — Cyclists and pedestrians are not permitted on motorways. Motorcycles, lorries, and novice drivers with full licences may use motorways.

Front

When is it permitted to use the hard shoulder of a motorway in Ireland?

Back

In the event of a breakdown or emergency stop — The hard shoulder is reserved for genuine breakdowns and emergencies. Driving on it or using it to pass other traffic is illegal except in an emergency.

Front

You have broken down on a motorway and stopped on the hard shoulder. What should you do with your passengers?

Back

Move them away from the vehicle and behind the barrier if possible — Passengers should exit the vehicle via the left-side door and move well away from it, ideally behind a safety barrier, to avoid being struck if the vehicle is hit from behind.

Front

At what minimum distance from the car in front should you keep in normal dry conditions on an open road?

Back

A two-second gap — The two-second rule is the minimum safe following distance in dry conditions. Pick a fixed point and ensure two seconds elapse between the vehicle in front passing it and you passing it.

Front

You are driving in heavy rain on an open road. What following distance should you maintain from the vehicle ahead?

Back

At least four seconds to allow for increased stopping distances — In wet conditions, braking distances increase significantly. You should at least double the dry-weather two-second rule, giving a minimum of four seconds in rain.

Front

What does the two-second rule for following distance refer to?

Back

A minimum time gap of two seconds behind the vehicle ahead — The two-second rule is a time-based measure, not a fixed distance. You pick a fixed point on the road and ensure two seconds pass from when the car in front passes it until you reach it.

Front

What does a double yellow line painted along the kerb indicate?

Back

No parking at any time — A double yellow line means no parking is permitted at any time on that stretch of road.

Front

What does a single yellow line painted along the kerb indicate?

Back

Parking restrictions apply during certain hours — check the signs — A single yellow line indicates time-based parking restrictions. You must check nearby signs to find out exactly when parking is prohibited.

Front

What is a clearway?

Back

A road where stopping or parking is prohibited during certain hours — A clearway is a road where vehicles must not stop or park during the hours shown on the clearway sign, to keep traffic flowing.

Front

What do zig-zag road markings on the approach to a pedestrian crossing mean?

Back

You must not park or overtake in that area — The zig-zag markings on the approach to and exit from a pedestrian crossing prohibit both parking and overtaking, ensuring the crossing remains clearly visible to all road users.

Front

What must you do when a Garda is on point duty at a junction and signals you to stop?

Back

Stop immediately and obey the Garda's signal — A Garda's signal overrides all other traffic controls including traffic lights. You must stop and comply with the Garda's directions.

Front

At traffic lights, what does a steady amber light mean?

Back

Stop if you can safely do so; the lights are about to turn red — A steady amber light means stop unless you are so close to the stop line that stopping would be dangerous. The lights are about to change to red.

Front

Traffic lights show red and amber together. What does this signal mean?

Back

Prepare to go — the lights are about to turn green — Red and amber shown together signal that the lights are about to change to green. You should prepare to move but must not pass the stop line until the green light shows.