Driving
In order to drive in Ireland you must have a current driving licence; a licence from any EU country is equivalent to an Irish one. Licences from non-EU countries are valid for one year after entry into the country, providing it has been held for at least two years previous (it is also advisable to obtain an international driving permit from your home automobile association before leaving as some car rental companies require both). If you're bringing your own car into the country you should also carry your vehicle registration or ownership document at all times. Furthermore, you must be adequately insured , so be sure to check your existing policy. Out of the main cities the Republic's roads remain relatively uncongested, making driving a very relaxing option. It also remains (along with Britain) one of the few countries in the world where you drive on the left, a situation that can lead to a few tense days of acclimatization for many overseas drivers. Unleaded petrol is about 75p/?0.95 per litre; the national speed limit is 55mph/88kph, except where posted otherwise. All passengers must wear seat belts , and motorbikers and their passengers must wear helmets. In remote areas, wandering cattle, unmarked junctions, and appallingly potholed minor roads are all potential dangers, particularly for motorbikes. Other hazards to watch out for include drunk drivers late at night, a continuing problem in spite of high accident rates and a concerted police crackdown. A cause of some confusion are "passing lanes" or "slow lanes", indicated by a broken yellow line, where you can pull over to the left for the car behind to overtake. However, they should be used with care as many have poor surfaces and can suddenly end with little or no warning. Be careful if you take a car to Dublin - congestion is chronic, theft and vandalism rates are high, and you're best advised to leave your car in a supervised car park. Although nominally converted to metric measures, with kilometres indicated by green signs on all the main roads, Irish people still tend to think and talk in miles, while rural areas still retain the old black-and-white fingerpost signs in miles. There is also such a thing as an "Irish mile" - longer than the standard imperial measure - though this is rare and found only on very old signposts. Unleaded petrol is available almost everywhere. In all large towns a disc parking system is in operation: discs can be bought in newsagents and have to be displayed on the vehicle when parked in a designated area; failure to display a disc will result in clamping or towing, especially in Dublin and Galway. Roads in the North are, in general, notably superior to those in the Republic. Driving is on the left and the rules of the road are as in Britain: speed limits are 30-40mph/50-60kph in built-up areas, 70mph/110kph on motorways (freeways) and dual carriageways and 60mph/100kph on most other roads. Car seat-belt and motorbike-helmet rules are the same as in the Republic . Cars bearing large red "R" (Restricted) plates identify drivers who have passed their driving test within the past twelve months and are meant to keep to low speeds. Although security is not as rigorous as it was during the IRA's campaign, controlled parking is still in effect in some towns; a parked car in a control zone is considered a security risk and may result in a security alert. Petrol prices in the North are about 87p a litre. In the Republic, the Irish Automobile Association (IAA) operates 24-hour emergency breakdown services. They also provide many other motoring services, including a reciprocal arrangement for free assistance through many overseas motoring organizations - check the situation with yours before setting out. You can ring the emergency numbers even if you are not a member of the respective organization, although a substantial fee will be charged. In the North, the Automobile Association (AA) and the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) both offer the same services as the IAA.
Your Tip for Ireland
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