Francesca Guadagnini - CC BY-NC-SA 2.0"/>
In Ireland, we drive on the left! It’s a traffic pattern that can confuse some people, even discouraging them before they get behind the wheel for the first time! But don’t worry: driving on the left isn’t at all difficult: it will take a little getting used to, but in less than a quarter of an hour you’ll have got your bearings!
If you rent a car in Ireland (instead of returning your own vehicle by ferry, in which case this first tip doesn’t apply), you’ll inevitably have the driver’s seat on the right.
We recommend that you settle in well before you start, so that you can get to grips with it.
You’ll see few changes to the interior, apart from the presence of the steering wheel on the right, with its usual controls, and the traditional gearshift knob in the middle of the vehicle.
Overall, this means you’ll need to use your left hand to shift gears. An unusual gesture, but you’ll soon get the hang of it.
Ireland’s highway code is quite similar to that of France or Belgium, except that speed is expressed in miles/hour. So be careful with your speedometer: the figures don’t indicate speed in kilometers / hours!
And don’t forget that the Irish advertise the fact that you drive on the left in Ireland. You’ll find this reminder on most road signs near airports and ferry terminals.
When it comes to priorities, most intersections in Ireland are equipped with signs, lights and road markings. Yield” means “Yield the right of way”, so all you have to do is follow the code!
The same applies to roundabouts, where traffic flows in the opposite direction and priorities change. Always refer to the signs to make your commitment.
In Ireland, drivers are friendly and courteous. Sometimes, slow-moving vehicles even pull over to the side of the road to let more speedy traffic pass. So don’t hesitate to take the time to ride at your own pace, without pressure or stress.
Irish people are generally understanding with rental cars, aware that most tourists are not used to this type of left-hand drive.
So take your time, pay attention, and enjoy!
If you’re tempted to take your own car on the roads of Ireland, you’ll find that it can be a bit of a hassle…
Indeed, if you come to Ireland with your own vehicle, you’ll have a car that isn’t fully adapted to left-hand drive. So you’ll have a few problems (but nothing insurmountable), especially when you arrive at the toll booths.
You’ll have to get out of your car, drive around it and pass on the right-hand side of your vehicle to reach the counter. A constraint easily solved if you’re traveling with a front-seat passenger… But this can become a real problem if you’re traveling alone…
Apart from this inconvenience, using a French vehicle will be quite pleasant on Irish roads!
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