Destinations / Ireland
Driving in Ireland as a visitor
Not legally, but it is worth carrying. Ireland accepts foreign licences, and a permit removes any argument at the rental counter or a roadside check.
Standard delivery included. Need it sooner? Express lands by for $25 more.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Ireland expects
| Permit needed | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna |
| Valid for | Up to 3 years |
| Drives on the | Left |
| Emergency number | 112 or 999 |
| Top speed limit | 120 km/h motorways |
What the rental desk will ask you for
| Your own licence | The original card. A photo of it, or a photocopy, gets turned away. |
|---|---|
| Licence translation | Not required by law. Worth having if your licence is not printed in Latin script. |
| Booklet format they know | 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna |
| Minimum age | 17. Under 25 usually pays a young-driver surcharge. |
| Deposit | A credit card in the driver's name. The hold is taken in EUR. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Speed | Speed limits posted in km/h. |
|---|---|
| Seatbelts | Seatbelts mandatory. |
| Alcohol | 0.05% alcohol limit; 0.02% for learner/novice drivers. |
On the road in Ireland
At the pump
Stations sell unleaded petrol and diesel (LPG is uncommon), self-service and paid at the kiosk or pay-at-pump; note diesel and petrol pumps are colour-coded differently than in some countries, so check before fuelling. Prices in 2026 sit around EUR 1.75-1.90 per litre.
After a crash
Call 112 or 999 for Garda, ambulance or fire if anyone is injured or the road is blocked. Stop, exchange names, addresses, insurance and registration details, and report to the Gardai; do not admit liability and photograph the scene for your rental and insurance claim.
Sources: eflow.ie · ireland.com · blackcircles.com · tollguru.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Ireland?
Not legally, but it is worth carrying. Ireland accepts foreign licences, and a permit removes any argument at the rental counter or a roadside check.
Which IDP format does Ireland accept?
Ireland recognises the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in Ireland ask for one?
Recommended for non-EU licences and requested for some non-Latin scripts.
How fast can you get one?
Express orders are emailed within 5 minutes. The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay and the order is refundable for 30 days.