Driving in Ireland from the UK: what you need
Checked against official sources on 8 November 2026 · Sources at the bottom of this page
Driving your own car to Ireland? You need:
- Your UK driving licence No international driving permit needed
- Your logbook (V5C) and insurance certificate Every UK policy covers the minimum needed in Ireland, and you don't need a green card. Hire or lease car from the UK? Take a VE103 certificate instead of the logbook
- Photo ID, ideally your passport Not legally needed for British citizens, but some ferry companies only accept a passport. See below
- A way to pay the M50 toll if you drive around Dublin There are no booths: pay online by 8pm the next day. See below
- To think in km/h All limits are in km/h, and many rural roads are now 60 km/h (about 37 mph)
🛂 ID for the ferry
Ireland isn't in the Schengen area, and there are no EU fingerprint (EES) checks. British citizens don't legally need a passport to enter Ireland, but GOV.UK advises carrying one to prove who you are, and some ferry companies and airlines now accept only a passport. Check with your ferry company before you go. Passengers who aren't British or Irish citizens need their passport.
Ireland passport and ID rules →Paying the M50 toll around Dublin
The M50, Dublin's ring road, has a toll between junctions 6 (Blanchardstown) and 7 (Lucan). There are no barriers and no booths: cameras read your number plate, and you pay afterwards. It applies to everyone, including visitors.
Other Irish toll roads have booths where you pay as you go, usually €1.80 to €3.60 for a car, by card or cash. The Dublin Port Tunnel costs €3.50, or €12 to €14 at weekday peak times.
What you don't need
- No UK sticker: GOV.UK says you don't need one in Ireland, whatever is on your number plate.
- No headlight changes: Ireland drives on the left, like the UK.
- No compulsory kit: the Irish government advises carrying a warning triangle, a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher and spare bulbs, but none is required.
- No international driving permit and no green card.
Speed limits in Ireland
| Road | Limit |
|---|---|
| Motorways | 120 km/h≈ 75 mph |
| National roads, including dual carriageways | 100 km/h≈ 62 mph |
| Regional roads | 80 km/h≈ 50 mph |
| Rural local roads | 60 km/h≈ 37 mph |
| Towns and villages | 50 km/h≈ 31 mph |
Since February 2025, the rural speed limit sign (a white circle with black diagonal lines) means 60 km/h, not 80. More town streets are moving to 30 km/h. Speed cameras, including average-speed cameras on some roads, are common. Speeding is a €160 fine and 3 penalty points.
Rules that catch UK drivers out
🍷 Lower drink-drive limit
50 mg per 100 ml of blood, lower than England, Wales and Northern Ireland (80 mg). Just 20 mg for learner, newly qualified and professional drivers. Gardaí can stop and breathalyse any driver at a checkpoint.
📵 Don't touch your phone
Holding a phone while driving is banned, even to read a text in a cradle. It's a €120 fine and 3 penalty points.
🔢 Penalty points apply to UK licences
Ireland keeps a record for UK licence holders: 12 points in 3 years means a ban in Ireland. Some bans are recognised in the UK too.
👶 Child seats and seatbelts
Children under 150 cm or 36 kg need a suitable child seat. Everyone must wear a seatbelt, and the driver is responsible for passengers under 17.
🛣️ Crossing into Northern Ireland
There are no border checks. Speed signs change from km/h in Ireland to mph in Northern Ireland, so watch the signs as you cross.
Winter driving
Ireland has no winter tyre rule, but roads can be icy in winter, especially in the hills. Take care on minor rural roads, which are often narrow.
Breakdowns and emergencies
- Call 112 or 999 for police, ambulance or fire.
- On a motorway, use the hard shoulder only in an emergency, and get everyone out on the side away from traffic if it's safe to.
- A warning triangle and a hi-vis vest aren't compulsory, but they're worth carrying.
Hiring a car in Ireland instead
- Hire companies usually want you to be 23 to 25 or over, and may charge young drivers more. They'll ask for the licence from the country where you live.
- Ask whether the hire company pays the M50 toll for you, and whether you can take the car into Northern Ireland: most allow it, sometimes for a fee.
FAQs
Do I need a passport to drive to Ireland?
British citizens don't legally need a passport to enter Ireland, but GOV.UK advises carrying one to prove who you are, and some ferry companies and airlines now accept only a passport as ID. Check with your ferry company before you travel. Passengers who aren't British or Irish citizens need their passport.
Do I need a UK sticker to drive in Ireland?
No. GOV.UK says you don't need a UK sticker in Ireland, whatever is on your number plate.
Do I need an international driving permit for Ireland?
No. You can drive in Ireland on your UK driving licence.
How do I pay the M50 toll in Dublin?
The M50 toll between junctions 6 and 7 has no barriers or booths. If you don't have a tag or account, pay online at eflow.ie, by phone or in a shop with Payzone by 8pm the day after you use it. It's €3.80 for a car without an account in 2026, and late payment adds €4.00, then €51.00.
Are speed limits in Ireland in km/h?
Yes. All speed limits and signs in Ireland are in km/h. The limit on rural local roads is 60 km/h (about 37 mph), on regional roads 80 km/h and on motorways 120 km/h.
What is the drink-drive limit in Ireland?
50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, lower than England, Wales and Northern Ireland (80 mg). It's 20 mg for learner and newly qualified drivers and professional drivers. Gardaí can breathalyse any driver at a checkpoint.
Do UK penalty points apply in Ireland?
Ireland gives penalty points to drivers with UK licences and keeps its own record: 12 points in 3 years means a driving ban in Ireland. Points aren't passed between Ireland and the UK, but some driving bans are recognised in both.
More for your trip
Sources
Checked on 8 November 2026. Rules change, so check the official sources before you travel.
- GOV.UK: Ireland entry requirements · UK stickers · International driving permits · Insurance abroad · Driving in the EU and Ireland
- Ireland: Speed limits (Citizens Information) · Drink-driving · Driving offences and fines · Penalty points · M50 tolls (TII) · eFlow: visitors and hire cars · Driving in Ireland (gov.ie)