Destinations / Ireland
Driving in Ireland as a visitor
Often optional, depending on your licence and rental company. Visitors may drive in Ireland on a valid foreign licence; an IDP is advised for non-English, non-EU licences.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Ireland expects
| Driving document | Depends on licence issuer, script and rental policy |
|---|---|
| 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 | Check the desk policy for your issuing country and licence script. A translation accompanies the licence and never replaces an official permit. |
| 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?
Often optional, depending on your licence and rental company. Visitors may drive in Ireland on a valid foreign licence; an IDP is advised for non-English, non-EU licences.
Which translation format is used for Ireland?
Ireland uses the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna convention format. A Vialy translation is prepared in that format but is not a government-issued permit.
Will a rental desk in Ireland ask for a translation?
Recommended for non-EU licences and requested for some non-Latin scripts.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Ireland?
The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay, 30 minutes as standard and 5 with Express.
Also in Europe
Driving on to another country on the same trip? Each page states what that destination expects.