Positiveomg

Irish Driving Licence Number

In the United Kingdom, a driving licence is the official document which authorises its holder to operate motor vehicles on highways and other public roads. It is administered in England, Scotland and Wales by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and in Northern Ireland by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA). A driving licence is required in England, Scotland, and Wales for any person driving a vehicle on any highway or other 'road', as defined in s.192 Road Traffic Act 1988,^[1] irrespective of the ownership of the land over which the road passes. Similar requirements apply in Northern Ireland under the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981.As long as Great Britain and Northern Ireland remains within the European Union, a UK driving licence is a European driving licence.

As UK nationals do not normally have identity cards, a photographic driving licence can serve many of the purposes of an identity card in non-driving contexts, such as proof of identity (e.g. when opening a bank account) or of age (e.g. when buying age-restricted goods such as alcohol or tobacco).

• 1Regulations
• 3Driving licence categories

National Driver Licence Service or NDLS, is the name given to the new, dedicated service which will receive applications for learner permits and driver licences.

Regulations[edit]

Provisional licences and learner drivers[edit]

Applications for a provisional driving licence can be made in the UK from the age of 15 years and 9 months. Once a United Kingdom driving test has been passed, the driving licence is valid for driving a moped or light quad bike from age 16, and a car from age 17, or 16 for those who receive, or have applied for, the higher or enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP or DLA.^[2][3] A driving test consists of three sections: theory, hazard perception and a supervised driving examination. Until this test has been passed, a driver may hold only a provisional licence^[4] and is subject to certain conditions.

The conditions attached to provisional licences for a particular category of vehicle are:^[5]

• L-plates or (in Wales only) D-plates (Welsh: Dysgwr) must be conspicuously displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle.
• Learner drivers of a particular category and transmission type of vehicle must be accompanied by somebody aged 21 or above who has held a full driving licence for that category and transmission type for at least three years, except in the case of solo motorcycles and vehicles of certain categories designed solely for one person.
• No trailer may be towed, except when driving a tractor or where a full licence gives provisional entitlement to drive a car with trailer, large goods vehicle with trailer or passenger carrying vehicle with trailer.
• Motorcycle riders must not carry any pillion passengers.
• Coach or bus drivers must not carry any passenger except a person giving or receiving instruction.
• Motorways must not be used by holders of car and motorcycle provisional licences,^[6] excluding category B (car) licence holders who are learner drivers for the purposes of the trailer category BE, or unless supervised by an Approved Driving Instructor^[7].

In Northern Ireland, learner drivers are limited to a speed of 45 mph (72 km/h), and drivers who have passed their test within the previous year must display R plates (restricted) and are also limited to a speed of 45 mph (72 km/h) until the expiry of the restricted period. R plates are similar in style to L plates, with a thick-set dark orange R displayed on a white background.^[8]

After passing a driving test, the provisional licence may be surrendered within two years in exchange for a full UK licence^[4] for the relevant kind of vehicle. Full car licences allow use of mopeds and motorcycles provided a CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) course is completed (the requirement to have a CBT in Northern Ireland was introduced on 21 February 2011).^[9]

Newly qualified drivers[edit]

There are no restrictions on newly qualified drivers in England, Wales or Scotland, but if a newly qualified driver receives six penalty points within two years of passing, the licence is automatically revoked and the driver must pass the full test again.^[10] These six points remain on the new licence until their designated expiry time.^[11]

Towing restrictions[edit]

The rules on what a driver can tow are different depending on when they passed their driving test. If they passed their car driving test on or after 1 January 1997, they may drive a car or van up to 3,500 kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) towing a trailer of up to 750 kg MAM, and they may tow a trailer over 750 kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500 kg MAM when loaded. They must pass the car and trailer driving test to tow anything heavier. If a driver passed their car test before 1 January 1997, they are usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250 kg MAM. They are also allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750 kg MAM.^[12]

Other regulations[edit]

Motor car licences issued in the United Kingdom distinguish between automatic and manual transmission vehicles, depending on whether or not a driving test was passed in a vehicle with manual transmission (unless a vehicle test was taken in the UK before such distinction was made). While a manual transmission vehicle licence permits the holder to drive a vehicle of either kind, an automatic transmission vehicle licence is solely for vehicles with automatic transmission. The licence also shows whether a driver requires glasses or contact lenses to meet the legal driving requirements, if known.

Drivers who obtained rights to drive category D1 minibuses before 1997 (by passing a test for the obsolete class A) must not drive such vehicles for hire or reward, nor accept any form of payment in money, goods or kind from any passengers carried.

There is no maximum age for driving or holding a driving licence, but holders must renew their licences at age 70 and every three years thereafter, at which times they must self-certify their continued fitness to drive.^[13]

The Union Flag has been included on GB licences since July 2015, but not on Northern Ireland licences.^[14]

History[edit]

Driver registration was introduced in 1903 with the Motor Car Act. Holders of the sulphur-yellow coloured document were entitled to 'drive a motor car or motor cycle'.^[15] The wording was changed in 1930 after which holders were allowed to 'drive or steer a motor car or to drive a motor cycle'. Shortly afterwards, the document cover was changed to a dark red colour. Holders were for a period entitled to drive a vehicle of 'any class or description'.^[15] Subsequent changes saw the document list precisely those vehicle types for which holders were licensed.

Competency tests were introduced by the Motor Vehicles Regulations 1935 applicable to all drivers who started driving after 1 April 1934. Competency tests were suspended in 1939 for seven years due to the Second World War and in 1956 for one year due to the Suez Crisis. The only person in the United Kingdom who is not required to have a driving licence in order to drive is The Queen.^[16]

Until 1973, driving licences (and tax discs) were issued by local authorities and had to be renewed every three years. In 1971, the decision was taken to computerise the licensing system to enable it to be linked to the Police National Computer and to extend the life of the licence up to the driver's 70th birthday, extendable at intervals thereafter provided the driver can prove fitness.

Except for Northern Ireland, driving licences issued before July 1998 did not have photographs on them.^[17] Anyone who holds a licence issued before this date may retain their photo-less licence until expiry (normally one's seventieth birthday) or until they change address, whichever comes sooner. The new plastic photocard driving licences have to be renewed every ten years, for a fee. Until 2015, the licence consisted of both the photocard and a paper counterpart which detailed the individual's driving entitlements and convictions ('endorsements'). The counterpart was abolished on 8 June 2015^[18] and the information formerly recorded on it is now available online via the View Driving Licence service, except in Northern Ireland where the counterpart must be kept with the photocard.^[19]

Licences issued to residents of England, Northern Ireland and Scotland appear only in English, while those issued to residents of Wales appear in both English and Welsh.

Each licence holder in England, Scotland and Wales has a unique driver number, which is 16 characters long. The characters are constructed in the following way:^[20]

• 1–5: The first five characters of the surname (padded with 9s if fewer than 5 characters). For surnames beginning with 'MAC', they are treated as 'MC' for all.^[21]
• 6: The decade digit from the year of birth (e.g. for 1987 it would be 8)
• 7–8: The month of birth in two digit format (7th character is incremented by 50 if driver is female i.e. 51–62 instead of 01–12)
• 9–10: The date within the month of birth in two digit format (i.e. 01-31)
• 11: The year digit from the year of birth (e.g. for 1987 it would be 7)
• 12–13: The first two initials of the first names, padded with a 9 if no middle name
• 14: Arbitrary digit – usually 9, but decremented to differentiate drivers with the first 13 characters in common
• 15–16: Two computer check digits.
• 17–18: Appended, two digits representing the licence issue, which increases by 1 for each licence issued.

Each Northern Ireland licence holder has a unique driver number which is 8 characters long. The characters are not constructed in any particular pattern.

Driving licence categories[edit]

Current categories[edit]

This is a list of the categories that might be found on a driving licence in the United Kingdom.^[22]

Irish Driving Licence Application

Notes

1. ^MAM = Maximum authorised mass
2. ^Many users of self stabilising electrically propelled vehicles believe that they are exempt from licensing if they are solely used on the pavement. As they do not feature pedals for propulsion, they require a licence to drive, though nearly all are illegal on the public highway as they are incapable of passing a vehicle test (no braking system among other reasons).
3. ^Age 24 or 2 years from date of A2 test pass.
4. ^At age 16, a licence may be issued if the licensee is in receipt of the higher rate of disability living allowance. However, if the rate is withdrawn, the normal minimum age for driving a car (17 years) applies.
5. ^At age 16, a licence may be issued if the licensee is in receipt of the higher rate of disability living allowance. However if the rate is withdrawn, the normal minimum age for driving a car (17 years) applies.
6. ^At age 16, a licence may be issued if the licensee is in receipt of the higher rate of disability living allowance. However, if the rate is withdrawn, the normal minimum age for driving a car (17 years) applies.
7. ^If the driver has passed their category B or B automatic test before 1 January 1997, their licence will already show C1, C1E (8.25 tonnes), D1, D1E (not for hire or reward) as entitlement flowing from the category B.
8. ^Age 17 if the driver is a member of the armed services
9. ^Age 17 if the driver is a member of the armed services; Age 18 if they got their driving licence before 10 September 2009 and the weight of the vehicle and trailer together is under 7,500 kg; Age 18 under certain other circumstances
10. ^ ^abAge 17 if the driver is a member of the armed services; Age 18 under certain other circumstances
11. ^ ^abcdAge 17 if the driver is a member of the armed services; Age 18 having passed a passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) test before 10 September 2008 and driving under a authorised operator's licence (O-licence), or minibus permit, or community bus permit and under certain conditions; Age 18 under certain other circumstances; Age 20 after passing a PCV driving test and Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) initial qualification
12. ^Age 17 for small road-rollers with metal or hard rollers. They must not be steam powered, weigh more than 11.69 tonnes or be made for carrying loads
13. ^Age 17 if the Maximum Authorised Mass of the tracked vehicle doesn't exceed 3,500 kg

Obsolete goods classes[edit]

Although the category system was changed over 20 years ago (1 January 1997), the freight industry and driver recruitment agencies still predominantly use the obsolete class numbers for the entitlement of HGV drivers.

The two systems are not exactly compatible, so the descriptions given are only a guideline.

Class 1: any goods vehicle over 7½ long tons (7,620 kg) with any trailer.

Class 2: any rigid goods vehicle over 7½ long tons.

Class 3: any rigid goods vehicle over 7½ long tons with no more than two axles.

Points and endorsements[edit]

The UK uses a cumulative points system for driving offences. Points are added for driving offences by law courts or where the driver accepts a fixed penalty in lieu of prosecution, and the licence is endorsed accordingly. A UK driving licence may be endorsed for various offences, not only for those committed while driving or in charge of a vehicle. ^[24] If the individual committing the offence does not hold a valid driver's licence the endorsements may be put by until a licence is held.

Most endorsements remain valid for four years; some (such as driving under the influence) are recorded on the licence for 11 years because more severe penalties apply to those convicted twice within 10 years of drink or drug driving offences.

Twelve points on the licence within three years makes the driver liable to disqualification under the 'totting-up' procedure; however this is not automatic and must be decided on by a court of law.^[25][26] Endorsements remain on the licence for one year longer than their validity (three or ten years) because a court can consider points awarded even though they are not valid for 'totting up'.

Driving licence codes[edit]

Certain codes are included on driving licences to indicate restrictions on use. These codes are listed on the back of the card under the column headed '12. Codes' and are listed for each category that is licensed.

As long as the UK remains within the EU, these codes are the same than those for the EU, currently defined by DIRECTIVE 2006/126/EC.

The codes and their meanings are as follows:^[27]

• 01 – eyesight correction
• 02 – hearing/communication aid
• 10 – modified transmission
• 15 – modified clutch
• 20 – modified braking systems
• 25 – modified accelerator systems
• 30 – combined braking and accelerator systems ( licences issued before 28 November 2016)
• 31 - pedal adaptations and pedal safeguards
• 32 - combined service brake and accelerator systems
• 33 - combined service brake, accelerator and steering systems
• 35 – modified control layouts
• 40 – modified steering
• 42 – modified rear-view mirror(s)
• 43 – modified driving seats
• 44 – modifications to motorcycles
• 44 (1) – single operated brake
• 44 (2) – (adjusted) hand operated brake (front wheel)
• 44 (3) – (adjusted) foot operated brake (back wheel)
• 44 (4) – (adjusted) accelerator handle
• 44 (5) – (adjusted) manual transmission and manual clutch
• 44 (6) – (adjusted) rear-view mirror(s)
• 44 (7) – (adjusted) commands (direction indicators, braking light, etc.)
• 44 (8) – seat height allowing the driver, in sitting position, to have 2 feet on the road at the same time
• 45 – motorcycles only with sidecar
• 46 – tricycles only (for licences issued before 29 June 2014)
• 70 – exchange of licence
• 71 – duplicate of licence
• 78 – restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission
• 79 – restricted to vehicles in conformity with the specifications stated in brackets on the licence
• 79.02 – restricted to category AM vehicles of the 3-wheel or light quadricycle type
• 79.03 – restricted to tricycles
• 96 – allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer where the trailer weighs at least 750 kg, and the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is between 3,500 kg and 4,250 kg
• 97 – not allowed to drive category C1 vehicles which are required to have a tachograph fitted
• 101 – not for hire or reward (that is, not to make a profit)
• 102 – drawbar trailers only
• 103 – subject to certificate of competence
• 105 – vehicle not more than 5.5 metres long
• 106 – restricted to vehicles with automatic transmissions
• 107 – not more than 8,250 kilogrammes
• 108 – subject to minimum age requirements
• 110 – limited to transporting persons with restricted mobility
• 111 – limited to 16 passenger seats
• 113 – limited to 16 passenger seats except for automatics
• 114 – with any special controls required for safe driving
• 115 – organ donor
• 118 – start date is for earliest entitlement
• 119 – weight limit(s) for vehicle do(es) not apply
• 121 – restricted to conditions specified in the Secretary of State's notice
• 122 – valid on successful completion: Basic Moped Training Course
• 125 – tricycles only (for licences issued before 29 June 2014)

Use as proof of identity[edit]

Identity cards for UK nationals were introduced in 2009 on a voluntary basis, and the attempt to introduce a nationwide identity-card scheme in 2010 was reversed mid-course. Its in-progress database was halted and then destroyed.^{[citation needed]} Only workers in certain high-security professions, such as airport workers, were required to have an identity card in 2009, and this remains the case today. Therefore, driving licences, particularly the photocard driving licence introduced in 1998, along with passports, are the most widely used ID documents in the United Kingdom. Most people do not carry their passports with them; this leaves driving licences as the only valid form of ID to be presented. In day-to-day life there is no legal requirement to carry identification whilst driving or otherwise, and most authorities do not arbitrarily ask for identification from individuals.

Non-professional drivers are not legally obliged to carry a driving licence while driving, but section 164 of the Road Traffic Act 1998^[28] allows a police officer to require a driver to produce a driving licence within seven days at a police station chosen by the driver. The form which was once issued in such circumstances, the HO/RT 1, was known colloquially as 'a producer', as exemplified in Smiley Culture's hit single 'Police Officer'.^[29]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^'s.192 Road Traffic Act 1988 – General Interpretation of Act'. Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
2. ^'Provisional Driving Licence'. Young Car Driver. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
3. ^'Direct.gov Motoring'. Direct.gov.uk. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
4. ^ ^ab'Road Traffic Act 1988 s.89'. Statutelaw.gov.uk. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
5. ^'Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999 reg. 16'(PDF). Archived from the original(PDF) on 31 October 2008. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
6. ^Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982 reg. 11 ISBN0-11-027163-7
7. ^'Learner drivers on motorways from 4 June 2018'. GOV.UK. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
8. ^'Motor vehicle documentation learner and restricted driver requirements'. Nidirect.gov.uk. 4 October 2009. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
9. ^'Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland DVA website'(PDF). doeni.gov.uk. Archived from the original(PDF) on 13 August 2012.
10. ^'Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995, ss.1 to 4'. Statutelaw.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
11. ^'Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, s.45(5)'. Statutelaw.gov.uk. 7 January 1992. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
12. ^'Towing with a car'. Government of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 6 February 2017. This content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright.
13. ^'Renew your driving licence if you're 70 or over'. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
14. ^'Union Flags now feature on British driving licences'. gov.uk. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
15. ^ ^ab'Licensed to drive'. Motor. 23 May 1970. p. 32.
16. ^Mostrous, Alexi (20 December 2007). '81 facts about the Queen'. The Times. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
17. ^'UK | Drivers face new photocard licence'. BBC News. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
18. ^'Driving licence changes'. Gov.uk. Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. 22 December 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
19. ^'The photocard driving licence explained'. nidirect.gov.uk. 17 May 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
20. ^'DVLA INF45/1 'Your new Driving Licence' June 2008'(PDF). Archived from the original(PDF) on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
21. ^'ID checking guidelines for DBS check applications'. 23 October 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
22. ^'Driving licence categories - GOV.UK'. www.gov.uk. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
23. ^EAPC Rules
24. ^https://www.gov.uk/penalty-points-endorsements/endorsement-codes-and-penalty-points
25. ^''Endorsements, penalty points and disqualification', Direct.gov.uk'. Gov.uk. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
26. ^'New Driving Laws and What They Mean For Drivers'. absolutereg.co.uk. 6 August 2015.
27. ^https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-codes (OGL 3.0)
28. ^'Road Traffic Act 1988'. Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
29. ^https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/music-obituaries/8386589/Smiley-Culture.html

External links[edit]

Gearing up to drive in Ireland? It might sound intimidating, but trust us: driving on the left will feel like second nature after a few days of cruising along the Wild Atlantic Way, puttering along rural roads dotted with castles or circling the roundabouts outside of Ireland’s charming villages.

Follow this guide to prepare for everything you need to know about driving in Ireland — from driving on the left side of the street to navigating country roads. Learn about what documents you need to bring and what to do in case of emergency, plus the differences between driving in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Driving Requirements

If you are a resident of the US, Canada or the European Union and you have a valid driver's license, then you will be able to drive in Ireland. Drivers from other countries will need to obtain an International Driver's License, but American licenses are automatically valid on the Emerald Isle. (Just check with the rental car company to see if they have any other restrictions, like a minimum age).

In addition to a valid driver's license, you must also have third-party insurance (and credit card issued insurance does not count, unfortunately). Be sure that you know where your vehicle registration is, and carry a copy of your rental contract or a letter from the car's owner if the vehicle you will be driving in Ireland is not registered in your own name.

Checklist for Driving in Ireland:

• Valid US, Canadian, or EU driver's license (required)
• Passport (required, if your driver's license does not have a photo)
• International driver's license (optional for US, Canadian and EU drivers, required for others)
• Vehicle registration document (V5) (required)
• A contract from the rental car company or a letter from the registered owner giving you permission to drive, if the car is not registered in your name (required)
• Proof of third-party insurance (required)
• First aid kit and visibility vest (recommended)

Rules of the Road

The most important rule of the road in Ireland is: keep left.

In the last 20 years, the roads in the Republic of Ireland have improved dramatically and there are many new, high-speed motorway options for covering long distances. However, Ireland is largely a rural country, and rural traffic is the norm. Expect large, and slow pieces of farm machinery around every corner from March to October. Also be prepared for wildlife and pets to suddenly cross the road, and know that you might come around a curve to find cows or (especially) sheep resting right in the middle of the pavement.

Finally, remember that the traffic laws will differ slightly depending on if you are driving in the Republic of Ireland or in Northern Ireland, which are two different countries.

• Speed limits: In the Republic of Ireland, the speed limits are: 50 kph (30 mph) in urban areas; 80kph (50 mph) on single open roads; 100kph (60 mph) on national roads (marked by a green sign); and 120 kph (74.5 mph) on motorways. In Northern Ireland, the speed limits are: 50 kph (30 mph) in urban areas; 100 kph (60 mph) on single carriageways; 112 kph (70 mph) on dual carriageways. (Note: a single carriageway is a smaller road with one lane in each direction, whereas a dual carriageway has some kind of divider between the traffic going in opposite directions and usually has at least two lanes in each direction).

• Road signs: While warning signs in Northern Ireland are generally to international standards, those in the Republic of Ireland tend to be a bit old-fashioned. Don’t worry: most can be easily understood without problems. Direction signs are in blue for major routes (motorways), green for national roads, and white for local roads. Places of interest are signposted by brown in the Republic and black in Northern Ireland, both with white lettering. In Ireland, all place names will be listed in both Irish and English, and the distances are given in both kilometers and miles. In Northern Ireland, all signs are in English and use miles to communicate distances.

• Seat belts: Seat belts must be worn by the driver and all passengers at all times. Children under 36 pounds or shorter than 4'11' (150 cm) must use an appropriate car seat or booster seat.
• Cell phones: The use of cell phones while driving in Ireland is strictly forbidden. Bluetooth or handsfree devices are technically allowed but the Gardaí (police) warn that these devices are also distracting, and they will issue fines for any unsafe driving. Keep this in mind if you are planning to use your phone as a GPS for directions – and let a passenger be the navigator because the rule in Ireland is that the driver cannot touch a phone at all while operating a vehicle.

• Drinking and driving: Drinking and driving are taken very seriously in Ireland and few people will risk getting behind the wheel even after one drink. The legal limit to drive in Ireland is 0.5 milligrams of alcohol per milliliter of blood – which is lower than that 0.8 legal limit in many other countries.
• Toll roads: There are no toll roads in Northern Ireland, but they do exist in the Republic of Ireland and often cut down travel time significantly when compared to older, country roads. You will stop at toll booths to pay when entering toll roads in Ireland, with the important exception of the M50 around Dublin, which uses the eFlow Barrier System. You will pass through this system if you are traveling to or from Dublin Airport, but there are no physical toll booths. Your car's license plate will be photographed and you must remember to pay the toll online or at a designated kiosk before 8 p.m. the next day.

• Driving on the left side of the road: In Ireland, you must drive on the left side of the road. This means more than simply remembering to keep left. It means that everything you do as a driver in Ireland will feel like the mirror image of what you do without thinking when driving on the right. Remember that the more important side-view mirror is on your right and the interior rearview mirror on your left. If at all possible, drive a few minutes in the rental company's parking lot before getting on the road, just to get used to the driving-backward feeling. Driving on the left side of the road may feel surprisingly obvious when everybody else is doing it, but drivers who are used to keeping right tend to forget and let old habits take over, especially after breaks, on lonely roads, and in the morning. Whenever you come to a stop or need to turn, take a moment to remind yourself to stay to the left.
  Driving on the left means that you will always pass traffic islands to the left, and drive through a roundabout in a clockwise direction. You must make a left turn when accessing a motorway (which is the Irish term for a major highway) and remember to join traffic on your right side. Some people find that it actually helps to have a small post-it note saying 'stay left' on the dashboard.

• Right of way: At unmarked crossings, the car from the right will have right of way, and the same goes for cars already in a roundabout. In the Republic, yellow signs with black markings give instructions at marked crossings, with a graphic approximation of the layout with thick lines denoting the right of way, thinner lines representing roads that have to yield. On rural roads, which tend to be very narrow, it is best to let large cars and buses have the right of way just to be safe - unless they are clearly stopping to yield to you.

• Gas stations: Expect most gas stations (called “petrol stations” in Ireland) to be smaller than the standard gas-and-convenience-store option in North America. Gas stations can be few and far between in rural areas, and almost none of them offer 24/7-service. It is a good idea to refill once your tank is half empty. Remember that not all gas stations will take credit cards, so you should have plenty of cash. That means euros in the Republic of Ireland and pounds in Northern Ireland. As you go to fill the tank, make sure you double check what kind of gas the car needs and what kind of gas the pumps offer. Whereas at many U.S. gas stations the pump handles for diesel are green, a green handle means unleaded petrol in Ireland. Always read the label to be sure. And if you make the mistake of filling up with the wrong fuel, do not start the car; push it to the side and contact your car rental company immediately. They'll put you into contact with a mobile tank-cleaner which is costly, but cheaper than losing the engine.

• In case of emergency: If you need to reach emergency services in Ireland for any reason, 112 and 999 will both connect you to the emergency operator regardless of if you are in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.
• L-plates, N-plates, or R-plates - You will see cars marked with special 'plates'. These are a warning to you that the drivers with these plates should not quite be trusted to adhere to the usual best practices on the road. These colored letters mean that there is a new driver behind the steering wheel.

Irish Drivers Licence

Automatic vs. Stick Shift Driving

Most private cars, as well as most rental cars, in Ireland are stick shift. This means that in addition to getting used to driving on the left side of the road, you will also need to familiarize yourself with a car that feels like the mirror image of the one you might be more used to driving on the right. Deciding between automatic vs. stick shift driving in Ireland is about more than knowing how to operate a manual transmission vehicle on the right side of the road because the gear shift will also be in a different place.

Irish Driving Licence Stock Number

In Ireland, you will change gears with your left hand, which takes some getting used to – particularly when you are right-handed. If you are not comfortable driving stick shift (or do not want to worry about re-learning on the left), then be sure to reserve your rental car as far in advance as possible before the automatic cars sell out.

What Is My Irish Driving Licence Number

Should You Rent a Car in Ireland?

Irish Driving Licence Renewal

Ireland has a bus system that connects most major and mid-sized towns, but renting a car is the best way to see the Irish countryside. However, you do not need a car if you only plan to stay in Dublin.

Irish Driving Licence Driver Number

In Dublin, parking spaces are at a premium, the traffic is slower than in New York City, and nearly all sights are within walking distance of each other. Choose the location of your accommodation wisely so walking is possible and use public transportation or a cab for destinations that are not within walking distance. There should be no reason to use a car in Dublin or in many other Irish cities, for that matter.