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Rental Car in Ireland
When renting a car, make sure your auto and personal insurance is valid on both sides of the world. To rent a car you must be at least 21 years however some companies insist on 25, and drivers must have held a valid driving license for at least one year. Some companies apply an upper age limit of between 70 to 75 years. Being under or over age can result in an extra daily fee (usually under 10 EUR) and extra insurance and/or CDW.
Manual transmission automobiles are more common than automatic. You can specify upon reserving your hired car but do be advised that automatic vehicles are more expensive.
Extra fees may include: airport surcharge: usually 22.50 EUR; extra driver fee (varies), child car seats (varies); extra fee for taking the car into Northern Ireland. Republic tax on car hire: 12.5%.
A temporary visitor to Ireland may legally drive here providing he or she holds a valid licence issued in his or her country of residence or an international driving permit. Note that the holder of a licence for a vehicle with automatic transmission, for example the majority of American cars, may only drive automatic cars in Ireland.
General Information About Ireland
Region: Europe
Population: 3,917,300 October 2002
Capital: Dublin
Climate: Temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time.
Languages: Irish (Gaelic, English)
Currency: 1 Euro = 100 cents
National Holiday: Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March
Some Driving Laws
Keep the following in your vehicle: Driving Licence, Vehicle Registration Document, MOT or similar roadworthiness certificate if applicable and Valid Insurance.
Driving is on the left.
Drinking and driving laws are very strict in Ireland. Being caught over the legal limit (80 mg alcohol per 100 ml of blood = one pint) is severely penalised. The penalties are a maximum fine of 1000 EUR and/or a maximum 6 months of imprisonment.
Note that it is illegal to drive and use a handheld mobile phone at the same time.
Wearing seat belts is compulsory. The maximum fine is 200 EUR for the first offence.
Road Conditions As Stated By The U.S Bureau Of Consular Affairs
Urban road conditions/maintenance: Good
Rural road conditions/maintenance: Fair
Availability of roadside assistance: Good
Speed Limits
| Freeways/Motorways |
112 km/h |
| Regular Non-Urban Roads |
100 km/h |
| Urban Areas |
48-50 km/h |
Driving Tips In Ireland
Ireland's three major causes of road accidents are speeding, drunk driving and not wearing seat belts. Fatal road accidents increase in the winter due to poor road surface conditions.
On-road danger increases in the summertime due to increased traffic from tourists.
Country roads are narrow, uneven and winding. Watch for potholes, unmarked junctions and stray sheep!
Ireland does not have toll roads, but there are two toll bridges.
Road Sign Classifications are as follows: Freeways/Motorways = Blue, National Primary & Secondary routes = Green, Regional and local routes = White.
Roadside Assistance Numbers
Northern Ireland
Automobile Association (AA)
Telephone: 0800 88 77 66
Royal Automobile Association (RAC)
Telephone: 0800 82 82 82
Republic of Ireland
Irish Automobile Association (IAA)
Telephone: 0800 66 77 88
Emergency Numbers
Police/Ambulance/Fire - 999
More information about your Rental Car in Ireland
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