Page 18 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

16 BACK ROADS IRELAND

Driving in Ireland

Ireland has an extensive road network and in recent years there
has been extensive upgrading and expansion of all main routes.
However, it is only by driving the back roads that you’ll discover
the real Ireland. The relaxed pace is one of the greatest joys of
driving here and the further you get from the cities, the more
likely you are to have the road to yourself. To travel safely and get
the most from your trip, it is vital to familiarize yourself with the Above Premium, unleaded and diesel petrol
rules and requirements for driving in Ireland before you set out. pumps by a rural roadside in Co Tipperary
Insurance and you should carry the registration the M50 around Dublin. If your car is
Breakdown Cover document with you. If it is not not registered, your vehicle number
Third-party motor insurance is registered in your name (for example, plate is recorded each time you pass
compulsory in Ireland and, if you if it is a company car), bring a letter the toll point and you must pay
bring your own car, you must have of authorization from the owner. according to distance travelled. Pay-
an insurance certificate that is valid While not compulsory, it is ment can be made online, through the
in the country. You do not necessarily advisable to carry the following call centre or at Payzone outlets nation-
need a “Green Card and Bail Bond”, in your vehicle: a warning triangle, wide, but the journey must be paid
but you should check with your first aid kit and visibility vests (one for by 8pm the following day. More
insurer prior to travelling that you are for every occupant of the vehicle). information is available on the eFlow
covered for the trip. Most companies A torch (flashlight) and spare website. Some other motorways in
give you automatic coverage in EU petrol container are also highly Ireland also charge a fee, which is paid
countries for up to 90 days. If your recommended extras. at toll plazas en route or as you leave.
policy has breakdown cover, check
whether it applies abroad. If not, it is Road Systems Speed Limits and Fines
worth considering purchasing In the Republic, motorway numbers In the Republic of Ireland, speed
additional breakdown and accident are prefixed by an M. National limits are given in kilometres per
cover. Motoring organizations such Primary Routes have the prefix N, hour (km/h). In Northern Ireland they
as the AA (see p19) also offer single- followed by numbers 1-50, while are posted in miles per hour (mph).
trip policies of this type. National Secondary Routes (also N) Be sure to remember the change
are 51 and above. Regional roads when near the border: it is unmarked
What to Take have an R prefix and a three-digit and easy to cross without realizing.
In order to drive in Ireland, you must number; these range from stretches Unless otherwise stated, speed
have a valid national driving licence, of dual carriageway to narrow rural limits are as follows:
issued in your country of permanent roads. Local road numbers are • In the Republic: 120 km/h (74 mph)
residence. By law you must have designated with an L, but often are on motorways; 100 km/h (62 mph) on
your licence with you at all times not shown on road signs or maps. national roads; 80 km/h (50 mph) on
while driving in the Republic. If your Northern Ireland uses the British non-national roads; 50 km/h (31 mph)
licence does not have a photograph, system of road classification: M for in towns and built-up areas.
be sure also to carry your passport motorways, A for major roads, B for • In Northern Ireland: 70 mph
or another form of official photo ID. If secondary roads and C for minor ones. (112 km/h) on motorways; 60 mph
you are bringing your own vehicle, A barrier-free motorway toll system, (96 km/h) on the open road; and
including caravans and motorcycles, called eFlow, currently operates on 30 mph (48 km/h) in towns and

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