Ireland → United Kingdom

Driving in the United Kingdom when you know Ireland

Differences first, worst-to-get-wrong first. Rules that match are folded away at the bottom.

What's different (6)

Speed limit on the motorway

Critical

Ireland · home120 km/h — about 75 mphChecked 6 Aug 2026

United Kingdom · destination70 mph — about 113 km/hChecked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Speed limit on country roads

Critical

Ireland · home80 km/h — about 50 mphRegional (R-numbered) roads. National (N) roads are 100. Small local (L-numbered) roads dropped to 60 in February 2025 — older guidance still says 80.Checked 6 Aug 2026

United Kingdom · destination60 mph — about 97 km/hSingle carriageway roads.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Speed limit in towns and cities

CriticalVaries by region

Ireland · home50 km/h — about 31 mphMore and more town cores and housing areas are signed 30.Checked 6 Aug 2026

United Kingdom · destination30 mph — about 48 km/hEngland and Scotland. Wales uses 20 mph as the default in built-up areas.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Wales20 mph — about 32 km/hThe default in built-up areas. Some roads are signed back up to 30.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

How much alcohol you may have in your blood

CriticalVaries by region

Ireland · home50 mg/100mlMuch stricter than Great Britain's 80 — a pint can put you over here.Checked 6 Aug 2026

United Kingdom · destination80 mg/100mlEngland and Wales. Scotland uses a lower limit.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Scotland50 mg/100mlChecked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Height below which a child needs a child seat

Important

Ireland · home150 cmOr under 36 kg. Licensed taxis are exempt.Checked 6 Aug 2026

United Kingdom · destination135 cmUntil 135 cm tall or age 12, whichever comes first.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

How you pay for motorways

Important

Ireland · home

Toll booths
Electronic tolls with no barriers

Most tolls are barriers taking cards or cash. The big exception is Dublin's M50: no barriers, cameras only — pay online or at a Payzone shop by 8pm the NEXT day, or penalties go to the rental company. Rental cars often carry a tag; ask when you collect the car.Checked 6 Aug 2026

United Kingdom · destination

Toll booths
City charges

Almost all motorways are free. The M6 Toll and several bridges and tunnels charge. London and Durham charge to drive in the city centre.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Known on one side only (19)

Which side you overtake on

Ireland · homeNot yet verified

United Kingdom · destinationRightChecked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Speed limit on a dual carriageway

Ireland · homeNot yet verified

United Kingdom · destination70 mphChecked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Speed limit when towing a trailer or caravan

Ireland · homeNot yet verified

United Kingdom · destination

Motorway — 60 mph
Dual carriageway — 60 mph
Country roads — 50 mph

Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Alcohol limit for drivers who passed their test recently

Ireland · home20 mg/100mlLearners and drivers in their first two years — effectively zero.Checked 6 Aug 2026

United Kingdom · destinationNot yet verified

Youngest age you may drive

Ireland · homeNot yet verified

United Kingdom · destination17 yearsChecked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Turning at a red light

Ireland · homeNot yet verified

United Kingdom · destinationNot allowedRed means stop for every direction. A separate green arrow is the only exception.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Age below which a child needs a child seat

Ireland · homeNot yet verified

United Kingdom · destination12 yearsUntil age 12 or 135 cm tall, whichever comes first.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

What the lines and painted kerbs mean

Ireland · homeNot yet verified

United Kingdom · destination

Double yellow line — no parking. No waiting at any time, even without an upright sign.
Single yellow line — no parking during signed hours. The hours are on nearby time plates, not on the road.
Double red line — no stopping. Red routes. No stopping at any time.
Single red line — no stopping. Red routes. Applies during the times shown on nearby signs.
White zigzag line — no stopping. Marks the approach to a pedestrian crossing.

Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Winter tyres

Ireland · homeNot yet verified

United Kingdom · destinationNot requiredChecked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

When you must switch your headlights on

Ireland · homeNot yet verified

United Kingdom · destinationNot requiredHeadlights are required at night and when visibility is seriously reduced.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Who has priority at a roundabout

Ireland · homeNot yet verified

United Kingdom · destinationTraffic already on the roundabout goes firstGive way to traffic approaching from your right, unless signs say otherwise.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Parking on the pavement

Varies by region

Ireland · homeNot yet verified

United Kingdom · destinationNo single national answer:

EnglandAllowedExcept London, where it is banned. Discouraged everywhere, and obstructing the pavement can be fined.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

ScotlandNot allowedChecked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

WalesAllowedDiscouraged, and obstructing the pavement can be fined.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Parking facing against the traffic

Ireland · homeNot yet verified

United Kingdom · destinationAllowedBy day only. At night you must not park facing against the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

How far you must park from a junction or crossing

Ireland · homeNot yet verified

United Kingdom · destination

A junction — 10 m

Advisory rather than a fixed law, except where markings say otherwise.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Low-emission zones

Ireland · homeNot yet verified

United Kingdom · destinationIn many citiesLondon has its own ultra low emission zone. Clean air zones operate in Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Tyneside, and Scottish cities have separate low emission zones. Most only charge vehicles that miss emissions standards.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Congestion charges

Ireland · homeNot yet verified

United Kingdom · destinationIn some citiesLondon and Durham.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Emergency number

Ireland · homeNot yet verified

United Kingdom · destination999112 also works and reaches the same service.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Whether police can fine you on the spot

Ireland · homeNot yet verified

United Kingdom · destinationYes — visitors must pay at the roadsideFixed penalties are normally paid later, not at the roadside. A driver who cannot give a UK address must pay a deposit on the spot.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Typical fines

Ireland · homeNot yet verified

United Kingdom · destination

Holding a phone — fine from 200 GBP, 6 points (Drivers who passed their test within the last 2 years lose their licence instead.)

Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Same in both (6)

Which side of the road you drive on — Left official source
Whether you need an International Driving Permit — Not required official source
Holding a phone while driving — Not allowed official source
Who must wear a seatbelt — Everyone, in every seat official source
How long you may drive on your own licence — 12 months official source
Hands-free phone calls — Allowed official source