Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
from Dublin, as Irish “Learners” are not allowed to drive on the motorways that cluster
around the city.
Be aware of typical European road rules; for example, you may not use a mobile phone
while driving (unless you have a hands-free headset), and headlights must be on in poor
day lighting. For more information, ask your car-rental company or check the US State
Department website (
www.travel.state.gov
, click on “International Travel,” specify your
country of choice, and then click “Traffic Safety and Road Conditions”).
Speed Limits:
Speed limits are 50 kilometers per hour (roughly 30 miles per hour) in
towns, 80 kph (approximately 50 mph) on rural roads (such as R-257, R-600, etc.), 100
kph (about 60 mph) on national roads (N-8, N-30, etc.), and 120 kph (roughly 75 mph) on
motorways (M-1, M-50, etc.). Note that road-surveillance cameras strictly enforce speed
limits. Any driver (including foreigners renting cars) photographed speeding will get a
nasty bill in the mail. (Cameras—you'll see the foreboding gray boxes—flash on your
rear license plate in order not to invade the privacy of anyone sharing the front seat with
someone they shouldn't be with.)
Tolls:
The M-50 ring road surrounding Dublin carries a €3 toll, paid electronically with
details at
www.eflow.ie
). Other Irish motorways, linking smaller cities farther from Dub-
