In Ireland, traffic laws and penalty points are designed to promote road safety. If you're driving a car in Ireland, it's essential to follow the rules and understand the penalty points system. Below is an overview of important traffic rules and penalty points associated with various violations.
Key Traffic Rules in Ireland
Drive on the Left:
- In Ireland, drivers must drive on the left-hand side of the road.
Seat Belts:
- Seat belts must be worn by the driver and all passengers, both in the front and back seats.
Speed Limits:
- Speed limits vary depending on the road type:
- Motorways: 120 km/h
- National roads (main highways): 100 km/h
- Regional and local roads: 80 km/h
- Urban areas (towns/cities): 50 km/h
- Adhering to speed limits is critical, and exceeding them will result in penalty points and fines.
- Speed limits vary depending on the road type:
Drink-Driving:
- Ireland has strict drink-driving limits:
- For fully licensed drivers, the limit is 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood.
- For professional drivers, learner drivers, and newly qualified drivers, the limit is 20 mg.
- Exceeding these limits can result in fines, penalty points, disqualification, or imprisonment.
- Ireland has strict drink-driving limits:
Mobile Phones:
- It is illegal to use a handheld mobile phone while driving. You can use a hands-free system, but the law encourages limiting distractions.
Roundabouts:
- Always give way to traffic coming from the right when entering a roundabout.
Parking Rules:
- Park in designated areas only and pay attention to no-parking signs. Illegal parking may result in fines and your vehicle being clamped.
Insurance and Tax:
- Every car must have valid motor insurance, and the car must be taxed and NCT (National Car Test) certified if required.
Child Car Seats:
- Children must be in appropriate child car seats until they are 150 cm tall or aged 12 years.
Penalty Points System in Ireland
Ireland uses a penalty points system to discourage unsafe driving. If you accumulate 12 penalty points in three years, your driving license will be suspended for six months.
Here are some common offences and the penalty points associated with them:
Speeding:
- 3 penalty points (if paid on time).
- If contested in court and convicted: 5 penalty points.
Failure to Wear Seatbelt:
- 3 penalty points for both the driver and passengers.
Using a Mobile Phone While Driving:
- 3 penalty points for using a mobile phone while driving.
Dangerous Driving:
- 5 penalty points, and may result in court prosecution.
Driving Without Insurance:
- 5 penalty points and fines; can also lead to disqualification.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI):
- Depending on the alcohol level and driver status, penalty points vary:
- 3 points for exceeding lower alcohol limits (20–50 mg/100ml).
- Disqualification for serious offences, usually above 80 mg/100 ml.
Driving Without NCT Certificate:
- 3 penalty points if your car is found to be untested and driven without an NCT certificate.
Running a Red Light:
- 3 penalty points.
Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign or Yield Sign:
- 3 penalty points.
Parking Violations:
- While many parking violations do not lead to penalty points, they can result in fines and clamping.
What Happens if You Accumulate Too Many Points?
- 12 penalty points within a 3-year period will result in license suspension for 6 months.
- For learner and novice drivers, the threshold is lower—7 points lead to a suspension.
Fines and Other Consequences
- Speeding fines: €80 if paid within 28 days; €120 if paid within 56 days.
- Drink-driving: Depending on the severity, fines, disqualification, and even imprisonment can occur.
- Using a mobile phone: A fixed charge of €60, increasing to €90 after 28 days.
Summary
Driving in Ireland requires adherence to traffic laws, including driving on the left, obeying speed limits, and wearing seat belts. Ireland's penalty points system is in place to penalize unsafe driving behaviors. Accumulating 12 points in three years results in a driving ban. Always ensure your car is insured, taxed, and roadworthy with a valid NCT certificate.
If you need detailed information on fines or specific cases, the Road Safety Authority of Ireland (RSA) and Garda Traffic Division can provide more up-to-date information.