When taking advantage of car hire Ireland, there are many things to consider; this is because driving in Ireland is very different from driving in North America. The main difference of courses is that you drive on the left side of the road. This can be hard to adjust to, but here is some general traffic and driving information that will help.

Road Signs

There are different types of signs that are used on highways and a special group of warning signs that are used for road work areas. Most Road signs in the Republic are in both Gaelic and English. Ireland is heading towards using the metric system so you will come across the new-style green and white signs that are in kilometres, as well as some black on white signs that are in miles. As a rule, all signs in the North are in miles. The "Yield" sign is unique to the republic; in the UK this is worded "Give Way", but is the same 'yield' as in North America. Brown signs with white lettering indicate places of historical, cultural or leisure interest.

Main Regulatory Signs

Sharp turn ahead	Series of turns ahead	Roundabout ahead	Traffic Light Ahead	Road Narrows Ahead

School/Children Crossing	Slippery Road Ahead	Railroad Ahead	Railroad with No Barrier Ahead	Railroad with No Barrier or Lights Ahead

Main Warning Signs

Warden	Keep Left	End Of Speed Limit	Turn Left	Turn Right	Straight Ahead Only	Pedestrian Street/No Traffic

Main Information Signs
These signs tend to give information regarding direction, distances, and places. They may have black lettering on a white background or white lettering on a green background.

Location Distances/Info	Motor way Ahead

Roadway Markings
Here is a list of the common road markings to be aware of:

• Single or double continuous white lines along the center of the road means that all traffic must keep to the left of the line (except in an emergency or for access).
• Broken white lines along the centre of the road alert drivers and must not be crossed unless it is safe to do so.
• Double broken white lines along the centre of the road alert drivers that continuous white lines are ahead and must not be crossed unless it is safe to do so.
• Broken white lines together with single white lines, requires that the line nearest the driver must be obeyed.
• A single broken yellow line along the edge of the roadway means the edge of a carriageway where a hard shoulder is normally provided.

Traffic lights

• Red Light: Driver approaching a traffic light that is red must not proceed beyond the stop line at that light or, if there is no stop line, beyond that light.
• Amber Light: Driver approaching a traffic light that is amber while no other traffic light (immediately above or below) shows any light, must not proceed beyond the stop line at that light or, if there is no stop line, beyond that light). If the vehicle is so close to the stop line when the amber light is first engaged that the vehicle cannot safely be halted before the stop line, then they may proceed.
• Green Light: Driver approaching a traffic light that is green may proceed past the light as long as the way is clear.
• Green Arrow: Driver approaching a traffic light showing a lighted green arrow may proceed in the direction indicated by the arrow.

Parking Restrictions

• A 'P' with a circle and a cross (see right) means that parking is prohibited at all times
• When a Parking Prohibited sign is accompanied with an information plate below, parking is prohibited during the times shown on the information plate



• A red circle with and 'X' through the middle (see right) indicates a Clearway, which means that stopping or parking is prohibited by any vehicle (other than buses or taxis) at the times shown on the information plate. During "Clearway Hours" a vehicle may not park at a meter or disk parking place provided in the clearway.



• A single yellow line along a curb means that parking is prohibited during business hours. It is permissible to stop for the purposes of picking up or dropping off passengers or to load/unload goods when these prohibitions are in force. Business hours may vary from town to town but in most major towns "business hours" means Monday to Friday 8.00 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.



• A double yellow line along a curb means No Parking at any time. It is permissible to stop for the purposes of picking up or dropping off passengers or to load/unload goods when these prohibitions are in force.

Accidents

• Any driver involved in an accident must STOP his/her vehicle and remain at the scene of the accident for a reasonable time, unless the vehicle or vehicles are obstructing the road or pose a danger to other road users, in which case the position of the vehicles should be marked and the vehicles moved off the road as quickly as possible.
• A driver involved in an accident must, if requested by a garda (police), give his/her name and address, the address where the vehicle is being kept, the name and address of the vehicle owner, vehicle registration number, and insurance.
• If no Garda is present, this information should be given to anyone involved in the accident, or upon request, to any witness.
• If a person or persons are injured, the accident must be reported to the nearest Garda Station.
• Where property damage only is involved, it is not necessary to report the accident but relevant information must be given to the person whose property has been damaged.
• Accidents involving uninsured or visiting motorists should be reported to the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland, located at 3/4 South frederick Street, Dublin 2.